Llangollen eisteddfod given children's day backing

Jun 25 2008 By David Simister

Llangollen parade

LLANGOLLEN’S International Eisteddfod next month is set for support from a concrete king after one of North Wales’ biggest building suppliers decided to sponsor the event.

Mold based manufacturer Castle Cement, which employs 250 workers from across the region at its Padewood factory, is sponsoring the International Children’s Day when the festival opens next Tuesday (July 8).

"Castle Cement is proud to support the International Children’s Day at Llangollen this year. This festival gives children the opportunity to see and hear an abundance of different cultures all congregating in one field at the market town of Llangollen" said Mark Cox, the company’s general manager.

"We, as a company, are privileged to offer this opportunity to so many young people from across North Wales."

The event, which has been held in the town for over five decades, attracts sponsorship from some of Britain’s biggest businesses, including Iceland, whose founder Malcolm Walker began his first trading selling strawberries on the nearby Horseshoe Pass.

"Encouraging local business to invest in the local community and our young people, the future of our nation, is enormously important in the arts sector" said Mervyn Cousins, Llangollen International Eisteddfod Executive Director.