As if you didn't already know I thought Wales did better than they did in Toronto but there were a few good moves from the US side as well. It never really seemed like the final result was in question and the match underlined the fact that we need to get behind Rugby more in the US and maybe put some more money into the game.

Many thanks to Peter Thabit Jones for adjudicating the West Coast Eisteddfod Online Poetry Competition for the fourth consecutive year. The results are in and will be announced publicly at the WCE in Portland on October 13th. The winner will receive a $150 cash prize and the winning entry will be published in the prestigious Seventh Quarry international poetry magazine

If you haven't already, please check out the excellent entries to this years competition here:- West Coast Eisteddfod 2012 Online Poetry Competition

Feel free to nominate and comment on your favourites if you wish. See if you can second guess the judges choice

The 2013 Online Poetry Competition Group will be posted in late October ( after the WCE ) . If you missed the deadline for 2012 please wait until then to post and do so in the 2013 group. We will be making several announcements about next years online comps shortly.

Diolch

Ceri

If, like me , you were unable to get to Chicago ( or even a local pub ) to watch the match, you can watch it live HERE on S4C:- http://www.tvchannelsfree.com/watch/4597/S4C-Live-TV.html

Reproduced with kind permission from David Western's Portland Lovespoon Blog
.

We're just waiting for our lovespoon to clear Canada Customs. As soon as it does, I will resume work on it and finish off the beautiful Tree of Life design so graciously contributed by Jen Delyth. As with all things bureaucratic, we don't really know how long a wait we'll have, so in the meantime we'll carry on posting as if nothing's happening....which, alas, may well be the case. I don't even have any photos of it to post, so if you want to see how it currently stands, you'll have to scroll back a couple of posts to the lovely one Laura did showing all the work she has currently undertaken.

The picture I've included today is of a lovely walnut spoon carved in Celtic style and taken from an old panel of wood which was rescued from a dumpster by a friend of mine. The panels are probably around 200 years old (or more) and came from an old bar which had been used on a ship and in an Irish pub....if this piece of wood could talk, it would, no doubt, have a lovely accent and would be full of the blarney!

This particular design combines several examples of Celtic art extending over a time range of about 2-3 thousand years. Although we are most familiar with the insular style of monastic Britain (circa 500 ad -800 ad), there is a rich and varied history of lovely Celtic art which is hardly known. With the theme of this year's West Coast Eisteddfod lovespoon being, "Celebrate your Roots"...this spoon certainly sums up the Celtic pride that we Welsh and our fellow Celtic cousins can feel in our long and varied history.

The West Coast Eisteddfod gives us a chance to highlight our Welsh pride and to bring some aspects of our history and culture to the community. Lovespoon carving is certainly one of those Welshy 'things' that we can feel pretty good about and it gives Laura and I a LOT of pleasure and pride to see our combined efforts result in a beautiful spoon which a lucky draw winner can enjoy for many, many years.

If you haven't already donated to the West Coast Eisteddfod, please consider doing so. Every dollar you donate (in denominations large or small) equals a chance to win...so the more the merrier! We're confident this year's spoon will be far and away the best one yet and will represent exceptional value!!

Please support our cultural efforts and help the Welsh presence within North America!

Datganiad ir Wasg Dydd Mawrth, 2 Mehefin 2009

Eisteddfod Llangollen yn dathlu Wythnos Genedlaethol Gwirfoddolwyr: Mehefin 1 ^af 7 ^fed

Mervyn Cousins yn diolch i 1000 o wirfoddolwyr Llangollen

Ar 5 Mehefin bydd bron i 1000 o wirfoddolwyr Llangollen yn derbyn cydnabyddiaeth am eu gwaith caled mewn digwyddiad arbennig sydd wedi ei drefnu gan Gyfarwyddwr Gweithredol Llangollen, Mervyn Cousins, i gyd-fynd ag Wythnos Genedlaethol Gwirfoddolwyr syn dathlu 25 mlynedd eleni. Ers 63 mlynedd, mae Gyl Llangollen wedi bod yn gwbwl dibynnol ar waith caled gwirfoddolwyr; hebddynt, ni fyddair yl yn bodoli .

Mae Cyfarwyddwr Gweithredol Llangollen, Mervyn Cousins ar Cadeirydd , Phil Davies , wedi bod eisiau cydnabod yr holl oriau ou hamser y maer gwirfoddolwyr mor barod iw rhoi pob blwyddyn. Dywedodd Mervyn Cousins : Mae gan yr yl wirfoddolwyr heb eu hail mae gennym bron i 1000 o bobl syn helpu mewn rhyw ffordd ac maen nhwn amrywio o bobl syn dod i Langollen am wythnos yr yl yn unig, i bobl syn llywior Eisteddfod yn ystod y flwyddyn trwy eu haelodaeth or pwyllgorau amrywiol. Mae rhai yn y swyddfa rhan fwyar flwyddyn. Yn syml, ni fyddai modd i ni gynnal yr yl hebddynt ac rydym yn gobeithio y bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn ffordd o ddiolch iddynt. Bydd hefyd yn gyfle gwych i ddangos ein gwerthfawrogiad or staff sydd hefyd mor ymroddgar.

Dywed Phil Davies , Cadeirydd yr Eisteddfod sydd hefyd yn wirfoddolwr fod gwirfoddoli yn ffordd o fyw i drigolion Llangollen ac maer yl yn dystiolaeth fod gwirfoddoli yn weithgaredd i bobl o bob oedran gydag ymwelwyr yn aml wedi eu syfrdanu gan yr holl bobl ifanc a myfyrwyr syn helpu yn ystod wythnos yr Eisteddfod yn benodol. A does dim rhaid i chi fyw yn ardal Llangollen i gymryd rhan mae gwirfoddolwyr yn dod o bob cwr or Deyrnas Unedig pob blwyddyn er mwyn bod yn rhan o fwrlwm yr yl. Daw ambell i wirfoddolwr o dramor, gan ychwanegu at naws rhyngwladol yr yl ai nod o hybu dealltwriaeth a chydweithrediad rhwng cenhedloedd.

Caiff lwyddiant yr yl ei sicrhau gan bobl megis Bob Attenburrow, a ddyluniodd poster cyntaf yr Eisteddfod ym 1947 (gweler y llun), a fydd yn dathlu 50 mlynedd o wasanaeth ar Fwrdd yr Eisteddfod eleni. Aelod amhrisiadwy arall or llu o wirfoddolwyr yw Les Potts syn aelod or pwyllgor tocynnau, mae Les wedi mynychu pob Eisteddfod ers y cyntaf ym 1947 ar wahn i ddau tra roedd yn gwneud gwasanaeth gwladol.

Mae Ann Ankers , sydd wedi bod yn wirfoddolwraig ymroddedig ers bron i 50 mlynedd, wedi paratoi casgliad o straeon byrion difyr or enw Miscellany Medley syn gofnod o hynt a helyntion gwirfoddolwyr dros y blynyddoedd (ar gael o Sywddfar Eisteddfod ac ar y maes am 3). Yn l Ann: Ryn ni i gyd yn bwrw mlaen gydan dyletswyddau gwahanol. Byddaf yn meddwl amdano fel jig-so enfawr ble mae gan bawb ddarn, rhai gyda dim ond 1 ac eraill gyda 1000 ond dim ond pan fyddwn yn eu rhoi at ei gilydd y bydd yr yl yn llwyddo. Felly dwin meddwl fod pawb mor bwysig 'i gilydd.

Eleni, maer gwirfoddolwyr yn lansio nwyddau a fydd yn cyd-fynd seremoni codi banerir holl wledydd syn cystadlu bydd yn cael ei gynnal yn gynharach eleni. Bydd y nwyddau newydd yn cynnwys crysau chwys, crysau-t, crysau polo i gyd logor Eisteddfod. Yn ogystal, bydd nwyddau am 99c ar gael i blant. Bydd yr holl nwyddau ar gael o siop yr Eisteddfod neu trwyr wefan. ( www.llangollen2009.com )

Dywedodd Ian Lebbon, Cadeirydd y pwyllgor cyhoeddusrwydd: "Maer nwyddau newydd yn ddeniadol dros ben ac am brisiau cystadleuol iawn. Dwin gobeithio ein bod wedi archebu digon!

-Diwedd-

Nodiadau ir Golygydd

Cyfweliadau ar gael ar gais.

Ymholiadaur Wasg ar Cyfryngau

Am fwy o fanylion cysylltwch Lydia Jones - Mr Producer

Ffn: 02920 916 667

Ebost: llangollen@mrproducer.co.uk

Wythnos Genedlaethol Gwirfoddoli

Am ragor o wybodaeth, ewch i www.volunteerswe ek.org.uk

Gwybodaeth Gyffredinol am Eisteddfod Llangollen

Am un wythnos, mewn un dref, daw pobl o dros 50 gwlad ynghyd ar gyfer un o ddigwyddiadau mwyaf unigryw Cymru. Ym mis Gorffennaf, daw 50 000 o berfformwyr ac ymwelwyr o bedwar ban byd i Eisteddfod Gerddorol Ryngwladol Llangollen yn Nyffryn Dyfrdwy, Gogledd Cymru. Maer digwyddiad cl a diwylliannol hwn, a gaiff ei ystyried fel anrheg Cymru ir Byd, ei sefydlu ym 1947 i hybu heddwch ac ewyllys da rhwng cenhedloedd trwy gerddoriaeth a dawns. Mae Eisteddfod Llangollen yn mynd o nerth i nerth ac erbyn hyn yn un o wyliau mwyaf lliwgar y byd. Ceir thema benodol i bob diwrnod ac yn ystod pob diwrnod mae maes yr yl wastad llawn bwrlwm gyda chystadlaethau ar y brif lwyfan, perfformiadau ar y maes, gweithdai, canu a dawnsio byrfyfyr o bedwar ban byd mewn gwisgoedd traddodiadol. Mae cyngherddau Gala a gaiff eu cynnal gydar nos wedi denu enwau mwyaf y byd adloniant megis Pavarotti, Michael Ball, Elaine Paige, Domingo, Katherine Jenkins a Dame Shirley Bassey. Mae eleni hefyd yn sicr o syfrdanu gyda chyngherddau gyda Barbara Dickson, Syr Willard White, Blake, Natasha Marsh, ac hyd yn oed Cerddoriaeth James Bond, ymhlith y gwesteion arbennig bydd Honor Blackman, sef Pussy Galore! Am goctel ffrwydrol! Ymunwch gweddill y byd, ymynwch yn yr hwyl. Am ragor o wybodaeth, ffoniwch 01978 862 001 neu ewch ir wefan: http://www.llangollen2009.com/

Eleni, bydd Gala Agoriadol newydd a chyffroes a gynhelir ar ddydd Llun, Gorffennaf 6. Ymhlith sr y Gala Agoriadol bydd y gantores ifanc, Faryl Smith, Mark Evans o Your Country Needs You, BBC One a hefyd Cr Meibion Froncysyllte. Yn ogystal bydd Cr Meibion buddugol llynedd, Cr Godrer Aran yn perfformio, ynghyd Chantorion Colin Jones ar tenor ifanc, Alexei Kalvecs. Bydd elw or noson yn mynd tuag at Apl Bwrsariaeth Cystadleuwyr Llangollen syn cynnig cefnogaeth ariannol i grwpiau o gystadleuwyr syn teithio o dramor i gystadlu yn yr yl.

Bydd y gyngerdd syfrdanol, Licensed to Thrill ar nos Sul Gorffennaf 12 yn cynnwys perfformiadau o gerddoriaeth James Bond gan Gerddorfa Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru dan arweiniad Carl Davies , cyflwynydd y noson bydd y Ferch Bond , Honor Blackman , sef Pussy Galore. Caiff y gynulleidfa eu syfrdanu gan berfformiadau cerddorfaol gwefreiddiol o ganeuon enwog gan gynnwys Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice, ar Bond Theme eiconig. Bydd y noson yn cloi gyda Thn Gwyllt anhygoel a fydd hefyd yn cloi dathliadaur wythnos. Mae Stratstone of Wilmslow wedi gaddo darparu ceir Aston Martin ar gyfer y noson a bydd David Pender Richards - Cadeirydd Aston Martin yn westai anrhydeddus.

Manylion cyffredinol Eisteddfod Gerddorol Ryngwladol Llangollen

• Maer Eisteddfod yn cynnig platfform i bobl o bedwar ban byd gyfarfod a chyfathrebu drwy iaith ryngwladol greddoriaeth a dawns. Mae hyn yn hybu heddwch, harmoni a dealltwriaeth iachach o ddiwylliant fyd-eang.
• Mae gan yr Wyl gysylltiadau cryf gydar Cenhedloedd Unedig ac mi enwebwyd i dderbyn Gwobr Nobel am Heddwch yn 2004.
• Maer Tywysog Charles yn Noddwr ir Eisteddfod a Terry Waite CBE yn Arlywydd.
• Dechreuwyd yr Eisteddfod gan wirfoddolwyr yn 1947 i hybu heddwch ac Ewyllys Da drwy cerddoriaeth a dawns ac erbyn hyn maer wyl wedi llwyddo i fod yn un o Wyliau goraur byd.
• Mae eu cyngherddau proffesiynnol au cystadleuthau dyddiol wedi eu rhwymo hefo gweithgareddaur maes.
• Mae cartrer Eisteddfod yn un o drefi harddar Wlad, yn Nimbych , Gogledd Cymru.
• Maer maes yn llenwi a lliw, dawns a chan bob blwyddyn gyda digwyddiadau awyr agored, gweithdai a pherfformiadau byrfyfyr o bedwar ban byd.
• Bu 50 o wledydd yn cystadu yno llynnedd.
• Bu bron i 4000 o gydtadleuwyr yn perfformio ar lwyfan y Paviliwn yn 2008

Amserlen 2009

Llun 6ed Gorffennaf Gala Agoriadol - Faryl Smith, Mark Evans, Cr Meibion y Fron,

Mawrth 7ed Gorffennaf Barbara Dickson -Yn Fyw yn Llangollen.

Mercher 8ed Gorffennaf Cyngerdd Heddwch Llangollen.

Iau 9ed Gorffennaf Syr Willard White

Gwener 10ed Gorffennaf Blake a Natasha Marsh

Sadwrn 11ain Gorffennaf Cr y Byd

Sul 12ed Gorffennaf Licensed to Thrill Carl Davies yn cyflwyno cerddoriaeth James Bond

Mawrth 7ed Gorffennaf Diwrnod Ryngwladol y plant

Mercher 8ed Gorffennaf Diwrnod cerddoriaeth a dawns Ryngwladol

Iau 9ed Gorffennaf Diwrnod Ryngwladol Ieuenctid

Gwener 10ed Gorffennaf Diwrnod Ryngwladol Geltaidd a Gwerinol

Sadwrn 11ain Gorffennaf Diwrnod Ryngwladol y Teulu

Ar gyfer tocynnau neu fanylion pellach 01978 862001 neu www.llangollen2009.com

Gwybodaeth Ychwanegol: Caiff ddeiliaid Tocyn Tymor Llawn ddewis o'r seddi gorau yn y Pafiliwn i fwynhau cystadleuthau a chyngherddau'r Eisteddfod o ddydd Mercher hyd ddydd Sadwrn, am ddim ond 125 - gostyngiad rhyfeddol o 23% Yn ychwanegol, mae gostyngiad unigryw ar docynnau Cyngerdd Nos Fawrth - prynwch docyn 35 am 30. Caiff ddeiliaid Tocyn Tymor hefyd Gofraglen yr Eisteddfod yn rhad ac am ddim.

The deadline for entries in the 2012 West Coast Eisteddfod Online Competitions has now passed. Entries were accepted until 12 midnight ( PST ) on September 15th.

Once again, we would like to thank all our entrants for their excellent contributions and wish everyone pob lwc/best of luck in the contest.

Winners will be announced at the West Coast Eisteddfod in Portland, Oregon on October 13th. Winning entries will be posted here and the winning contestants will be notified by email.

Watch this space for exciting announcements about our 2013 online competitions......coming soon!!!

PRESS RELEASE Tuesday 2 ^nd June 2009

Llangollen Festival celebrates National Volunteers Week:

June 1 ^st 7 ^th

Mervyn Cousins gives special thanks to 1000

Llangollen Volunteers

On June 5 ^th , approximately 1000 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod volunteers will receive recognition for their hard work in a special Thank you event organised by the festivals Executive Director, Mervyn Cousins to coincide with National Volunteers Week, which is this year celebrating its 25 ^th anniversary. During its 63-year existence, the Llangollen Festival has always been dependant on the generosity and hard work of volunteers, without which, the festival could not exist.

Llangollen Executive Director, Mervyn Cousins and Chairman, Phil Davies , have long been wishing to acknowledge the thousands of hours that the volunteers contribute so willingly every year. Mervyn Cousins said: The festival has a volunteer base which is second to none we have almost 1000 people who help in one way or the other, and they range from those who come to Llangollen for the week itself to those who help drive the festival forward through their membership of the various committees. Some are in the office most days all year-round. We frankly couldnt do it without them and we hope that this event will go some way to thanking them. It will also be a great opportunity to show our gratitude to the staff who go far beyond the call of duty.

Eisteddfod Chairman, Phil Davies , who is, in fact, a volunteer himself believes that volunteering is a way of life for the people of Llangollen and the festival is living proof that volunteering is an all-age activity with visitors often surprised and impressed by the numbers of young people and students who help during Eisteddfod Week in particular. And you dont necessarily need to live in and around Llangollen to be involved volunteers come from all parts of the UK each year to be part of the atmosphere and buzz on and around the Eisteddfod field with some even coming from abroad, further adding to the Festivals aims to promote understanding and cooperation between nations

It is the lifetime commitment of people such as Bob Attenburrow, who drew the very first Eisteddfod poster in 1947 (see image), and will be completing his 50 ^th year of service on the Board of the Eisteddfod this year, that ensures the success of the festival. Another invaluable member of the Llangollen volunteering family is Les Potts who volunteers on the tickets committee and has attended every Eisteddfod since it started in 1947, except for 2 that he missed while doing national service.

Ann Ankers , who has been a committed volunteer for almost 50 years, has compiled a book of short stories and witty tales of volunteer life in Llangollen over the years, entitled Miscellany Medley . (Available from the Eisteddfod Office and at the festival itself, priced 3). According to Ann: We all just get on with our various jobs. I always think of it as a huge jigsaw where we all have some pieces, some might have only 1 and others might have a 1000 but it isn't until they are all put together that this event works. So I think that we are all equally important.

The volunteers are this year launching a new range of merchandise that will coincide with the earlier raising of the flags of all the competing countries that adorn the bridge and Castle Street. The new range of merchandise will consist of sweatshirts, t-shirts and polo shirts all bearing the Eisteddfod logo. There will also be a range of 99p items for children. All items will be available to buy from the Eisteddfod shop or by mail order from the website ( www.llangollen2009.com )

Publicity Committee chairman, Ian Lebbon said "This new range is very attractive and also good value for money. I just hope that we have ordered enough supplies!"

-Ends-

Notes to Editor

Interviews available upon request.

Press and Media Enquiries

For further information please contact: Lydia Jones at Mr Producer

Tel: 02920 916 667

Email: llangollen@mrproducer.co.uk

Volunteers Week

For more information please visit www.volunteerswe ek.org.uk

General Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Information

For one week, in one town, over fifty countries gather for one of Wales most unique experiences. This July over 50 000 performers and festival goers from all over the world will visit Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in the picturesque Dee Valley, North Wales. This cool and cultural event, considered as 'Wales gift to the World' was established in 1947 to promote peace and goodwill between nations through music and dance. Still thriving today Llangollen Eisteddfod has become one of the worlds most colourful festivals. During each themed day the festival field is a hive of activity with main stage competitions, outside stage performances, workshops, and impromptu singing and dancing from every corner of the world, in national and regional costume. The evening Gala concerts over the years have attracted some of show-business biggest names such as Pavarotti, Michael Ball, Elaine Page, Domingo, Katherine Jenkins and Dame Shirley Bassey. This year is no exception with concerts by Barbara Dickson, Sir Willard White, Blake, Natasha Marsh, and even The Music of James Bond, with guest stars including Honor Blackman, aka Pussy Galore! What a cocktail...Prepare to be shaken and stirred! Join the rest of the world, join the party. For more information, telephone 01978 862001 or visit the website at http://www.llangollen2009.com/

This years Festival also sees the exciting addition a new Opening Gala concert to take place on Monday 6th July. The Opening Gala has a star line-up including young singing sensation Faryl Smith , BBC Ones Your Country Needs You finalist Mark Evans and the award-winning Fron Male Voice Choir . Also performing will be reigning Llangollen Male Choir champions Cr Godrer Aran, male-voice choir Cantorion Colin Jones and young tenor, Alexei Kalvecs. The concert will support Llangollens Competitor Bursary Appeal Fund which aims to offer financial support to competitor groups who travel from all over the world.

The spectacular Licensed to Thrill concert on Sunday 12th July will see the music of James Bond performed by the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera , conducted by Carl Davis and hosted by Bond Girl Honor Blackman a.k.a Pussy Galore. The audience will be treated to a glittering evening of fabulous orchestral sounds and favourite melodies including Goldfinger , You Only Live Twice , and the iconic Bond Theme. The concert will culminate in a spectacular firework display which will be the finale to the Festival. Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod have also been promised Aston Martins for the night by Stratstone of Wimslow and Guest of Honour will be David Pender Richards - Chairman of Aston Martin.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod: General Information

• The International Eisteddfod provides a platform for people of all nations to meet and communicate through the international languages of music and dance, thereby promoting peace, harmony and a greater understanding of world culture.
• The International Eisteddfods Patron is H.R.H. Prince Charles and Terry Waite CBE is the current President.
• Established in 1947 by volunteers to promote peace and goodwill between nations through music and dance, Llangollen International Eisteddfod has become one of the worlds great festivals.
• Its professional evening concerts and daily premier competitions are now combined with innovative field activities and outreach work.
• Based in the beautiful Dee Valley in the county of Denbighshire, North Wales.
• Many of the worlds greatest stars have sung at Llangollen with some beginning their careers on the North Wales stage.
• The festival field is filled with colour and sound, with outside stage performances, workshops, and impromptu singing and dancing from every corner of the world.
• 50 countries competed in the Eisteddfod last year.
• Just fewer than 4000 competitors appeared on the Pavilion stage in 2008.

2009 Schedule

Monday 6 ^th July: Opening Gala - Faryl Smith, Mark Evans, Fron Male Voice Choir,

Tuesday 7 ^h July: Barbara Dickson Live at Llangollen

Wednesday 8 ^th July: Llangollen Peace Concert

Thursday 9 ^th July: Sir Willard White

Friday 10 ^th July: Blake and Natasha Marsh

Saturday 11 ^th July: Choir of the World

Tuesday: International Childrens Day

Wednesday: International Song and Dance Day

Thursday: International Youth Day

Friday: International Celtic and Folk Day

Saturday: International Family Day

For tickets and/or further information call 01978 862001 or visit www.llangollen2009.com

Additional Info: Full Season Ticket holders can choose one of the best seats in the house to enjoy the Eisteddfod competitions and concerts from Wednesday through Saturday for just 125 - an amazing 23% discount. Plus, claim an exclusive discount on tickets for Tuesday evenings concert - purchase a 35 ticket for 30. Season Ticket holders also receive a free Eisteddfod Souvenir Programme.