Post by Libby on Sept 2, 2012 4:53:19 GMT
Hayley is mentioned several times in this article from the Daily Post:
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www.dailypost.co.uk/leisure/tv-wales/programme-news/2012/09/01/gwyl-gobaith-2012-on-s4c-55578-31736276/
Gwyl Gobaith 2012 on S4C
THE unsung band of volunteers who help raise thousands for Welsh charities with the Gwyl Gobaith Festival of Hope will get their moment in the spotlight, with a S4C show tomorrow.
The hour-long Gwyl Gobaith 2012 will feature highlights of the three nights of concerts at Deeside College and Glyndwr University’s Northop campus, over the bank holiday weekend, presented by opera singer Rhys Meirion.
The Ruthin-based tenor is now putting his feet up, after a hectic fortnight in which he walked 200 miles across Wales – leaving his toes covered in blisters – in the days leading up to the festival, and followed by S4C cameras.
The walk had barely finished when he took to the stage at the event and joined in with the performers, from Hayley Westenra to beat-boxer Mr Phormula.
The programme’s executive producer Emyr Afan said: “There is a lovely atmosphere at Gwyl Gobaith and that reflects the fact there are so many volunteers involved with it.
“It’s not a professional management team coming in to run the show, it’s local people who have decided to do it, to raise money for charities, giving up their time to get the show on the road.
“The programme looks at some of the people behind the scenes, organising the site and making sure it all goes without a hitch. One of the leading lights is Huw Howartson, who runs the Ruthin plant hire and road surfacing company.
“Then there’s the site manager, Arwel Hughes from Amlwch. By day he’s an undertaker but at night he has an events company and gets involved with a lot of gigs.
“There are so many people involved with an event like this – using their skills, developing new ones, and raising thousands for charity.”
The event has raised cash for Wales Air Ambulance, Cancer Research, Clic Sargent and HeadtoHeart charities.
The festival – the fourth spearheaded by Rhys – continues to bring musical moments to treasure, said the singer.
“For me, one of the highlights was seeing the North Wales Youth Orchestra accompanying Hayley Westenra,” he said. “It was amazing to see how many talented musicians there are in North Wales.
“In some eyes, this was a big musical challenge for them, but they really stepped up to the mark.
“Hayley was over the moon with their work. I have been speaking to the conductor Derek John, discussing how we can build on this experience for the future.
“We do sometimes under-estimate what young people can achieve, and this time they really came up trumps.”
And Rhys managed to pick up some new skills as well, with an impromptu lesson on stage with Ed Holden, known as Mr Phormula.
“We had a few minutes to spare and I was amazed by the sounds he could make, with just a microphone. So I asked him back out to explain to the audience how he does it all. Then I had a go myself – it was all good fun, but I don’t think I’m going to change career!”
Emyr, who was doing the final editing of the programme as we talked, said there were plenty of highlights from the festival, although the last night, featuring pop chart-toppers Steps and North Wales reformed band Pheena, was cancelled due to bad weather.
“There’s a real selection of performers, something for everybody,” said Emyr.
“The show starts off with the North Wales Youth Orchestra and their great performance on Friday night. It was a great opportunity for these talented young people to show off their talents, and to also accompany a singer of the standard of Hayley Westenra.
“Then we have a selection of Welsh and local bands, such as Al Lewis, who is from Abergele, and really making a name for himself. He’s just back from Nashville, where he’s recorded an album.
“Plus we’ve Jodie Marie, from Narberth, in South Wales, and then beat boxer Ed Holden, Mr Phormula. Rhys had a go at beat-boxing, which went down really well with the crowd.
“There’s a also a local band called The Peace Creatures, from Mold. They’ve built a really good following in north east Wales.
“Then we’ve Rhys singing the Wales Air Ambulance anthem before the final act, Bryn Fôn, who was storming.
“We also take a look into the corporate tent. The support of companies is important to the festival, and the VIP tent is where they entertain their guests before the concerts.
“Among the other acts that we highlight are Sioned terry, a mezzo soprano from Abergele who is really carving out a name for herself. Plus there’s Amore – a group who got a contract after being overheard in a coffee shop – plus the very well-known Masters In France.
“The final part of the programme has the Three Phantoms – Earl Carpenter, Glyn Kerslake and John Owen-Jones – together with Shân Cothi.
“We end with Shân singing a duet with John Owen-Jones, it was beautiful, with bright sunshine, and all the promenaders, getting out their quiches and cakes, having a great time.”
Gwyl Gobaith 2012 S4C, tomorrow, 9pm
English subtitles
Watch again at s4c.co.uk/clic
THE unsung band of volunteers who help raise thousands for Welsh charities with the Gwyl Gobaith Festival of Hope will get their moment in the spotlight, with a S4C show tomorrow.
The hour-long Gwyl Gobaith 2012 will feature highlights of the three nights of concerts at Deeside College and Glyndwr University’s Northop campus, over the bank holiday weekend, presented by opera singer Rhys Meirion.
The Ruthin-based tenor is now putting his feet up, after a hectic fortnight in which he walked 200 miles across Wales – leaving his toes covered in blisters – in the days leading up to the festival, and followed by S4C cameras.
The walk had barely finished when he took to the stage at the event and joined in with the performers, from Hayley Westenra to beat-boxer Mr Phormula.
The programme’s executive producer Emyr Afan said: “There is a lovely atmosphere at Gwyl Gobaith and that reflects the fact there are so many volunteers involved with it.
“It’s not a professional management team coming in to run the show, it’s local people who have decided to do it, to raise money for charities, giving up their time to get the show on the road.
“The programme looks at some of the people behind the scenes, organising the site and making sure it all goes without a hitch. One of the leading lights is Huw Howartson, who runs the Ruthin plant hire and road surfacing company.
“Then there’s the site manager, Arwel Hughes from Amlwch. By day he’s an undertaker but at night he has an events company and gets involved with a lot of gigs.
“There are so many people involved with an event like this – using their skills, developing new ones, and raising thousands for charity.”
The event has raised cash for Wales Air Ambulance, Cancer Research, Clic Sargent and HeadtoHeart charities.
The festival – the fourth spearheaded by Rhys – continues to bring musical moments to treasure, said the singer.
“For me, one of the highlights was seeing the North Wales Youth Orchestra accompanying Hayley Westenra,” he said. “It was amazing to see how many talented musicians there are in North Wales.
“In some eyes, this was a big musical challenge for them, but they really stepped up to the mark.
“Hayley was over the moon with their work. I have been speaking to the conductor Derek John, discussing how we can build on this experience for the future.
“We do sometimes under-estimate what young people can achieve, and this time they really came up trumps.”
And Rhys managed to pick up some new skills as well, with an impromptu lesson on stage with Ed Holden, known as Mr Phormula.
“We had a few minutes to spare and I was amazed by the sounds he could make, with just a microphone. So I asked him back out to explain to the audience how he does it all. Then I had a go myself – it was all good fun, but I don’t think I’m going to change career!”
Emyr, who was doing the final editing of the programme as we talked, said there were plenty of highlights from the festival, although the last night, featuring pop chart-toppers Steps and North Wales reformed band Pheena, was cancelled due to bad weather.
“There’s a real selection of performers, something for everybody,” said Emyr.
“The show starts off with the North Wales Youth Orchestra and their great performance on Friday night. It was a great opportunity for these talented young people to show off their talents, and to also accompany a singer of the standard of Hayley Westenra.
“Then we have a selection of Welsh and local bands, such as Al Lewis, who is from Abergele, and really making a name for himself. He’s just back from Nashville, where he’s recorded an album.
“Plus we’ve Jodie Marie, from Narberth, in South Wales, and then beat boxer Ed Holden, Mr Phormula. Rhys had a go at beat-boxing, which went down really well with the crowd.
“There’s a also a local band called The Peace Creatures, from Mold. They’ve built a really good following in north east Wales.
“Then we’ve Rhys singing the Wales Air Ambulance anthem before the final act, Bryn Fôn, who was storming.
“We also take a look into the corporate tent. The support of companies is important to the festival, and the VIP tent is where they entertain their guests before the concerts.
“Among the other acts that we highlight are Sioned terry, a mezzo soprano from Abergele who is really carving out a name for herself. Plus there’s Amore – a group who got a contract after being overheard in a coffee shop – plus the very well-known Masters In France.
“The final part of the programme has the Three Phantoms – Earl Carpenter, Glyn Kerslake and John Owen-Jones – together with Shân Cothi.
“We end with Shân singing a duet with John Owen-Jones, it was beautiful, with bright sunshine, and all the promenaders, getting out their quiches and cakes, having a great time.”
Gwyl Gobaith 2012 S4C, tomorrow, 9pm
English subtitles
Watch again at s4c.co.uk/clic
www.dailypost.co.uk/leisure/tv-wales/programme-news/2012/09/01/gwyl-gobaith-2012-on-s4c-55578-31736276/
. Must catch up on what I've missed over the past month... 
Ugh, technology! 
