Special thank you for Eisteddfod volunteers

Jun 10 2009 by Andrew Davies, Denbigh Visitor

LAST Friday, around 1,000 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod volunteers received recognition for their hard work in a special “thank you” event.

The event was organised by the festival’s executive director Mervyn Cousins in order to coincide with National Volunteers’ Week, which is this year celebrating its 25th 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.

Mr Mervyn Cousins said: “The festival has a volunteer base which is second to none – we have almost 1,000 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 couldn’t 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, said: “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.”

It is the lifetime commitment of people such as Bob Attenburrow, who drew the very first Eisteddfod poster in 1947, and will be completing his 50th 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 two that he missed while doing national service.