Mold N. Wales Aug 24 (Gwyl Gobaith Festival)

[Dave]

Hi everyone,

The photo below from the Festival website, and the sponsors list, prompted me to check the website of Welsh TV Channel S4C. I discovered that highlights of this festival were broadcast last year and in 2010, a few days after the festival took place. So it is, I think, reasonable to assume that this will be done again this year. We may all get a chance to see at least some of Hayley's performance there!



This TV channel is available by digital satellite throughout the UK but of course, they may well not announce this for 2012 until much nearer the time.

Cheers, Dave

[martindn]

Right. Booked for Sue and I. I love having a Hayley concert to look forward to.

Since it is outdoors, trying to find out if they allow dogs. Would solve a possible dog sitting problem.

Martin D

[grant]

Apr 9, 2012 15:03:59 GMT martindn said:

Right. Booked for Sue and I. I love having a Hayley concert to look forward to.

Since it is outdoors, trying to find out if they allow dogs. Would solve a possible dog sitting problem.

Martin D

Hi Martin

This might help - an extract from the web site's 'frequently asked questions'

Is there somewhere to put a caravan on site?

Yes there is room for 25 caravans at £15 for the three nights with proof of ticket to the festival. There are on site showers and toilets for use by caravan owners but no electrical feed available. To book a pitch please contact the Festival Production Manager Arwel Hughes

The camp site opens at 12 noon on Friday the 26 of August and owners should report to the site office to receive their pitch number.

Should you need and further site information you are welcome to call the festival production manager, Mr Arwel Hughes on 07768 860 961

Best wishes
Grant

[martindn]

Hi Grant,

So the camp site opens 2 days after Hayley's concert? Is that a mistake do you think?

But I think this one might be near enough to do drive home after the show. About 2 hours I reckon, much the same as Kings Lynn.

[grant]

Apr 9, 2012 18:34:31 GMT martindn said:

Hi Grant,

So the camp site opens 2 days after Hayley's concert? Is that a mistake do you think?

But I think this one might be near enough to do drive home after the show. About 2 hours I reckon, much the same as Kings Lynn.

Ooopps! They've got the day right so I supect it's a mistake.

Mmm, not sure I'd want to risk driving home. Says will finish about 10.30 THEN you've got to get off the site OK, we'll probably wait to see Hayley so that may not be a problem but Google maps says 1 hour 58 mins to Spondon, so I guess add half an hour for you to get to Leicester.

Anyway, I decided I'm staying over and have booked in at the Travelodge.

As you said, good to now have a concert to look forward to - hope there might be a few more.

Best wishes
Grant

[Richard]

Hello Grant and Martin D!

I suspect they've posted last year's date on the Festival website.

Richard

[martindn]

Anyway, tickets arrived this morning. That was quick!

Martin D

[Martin]

I seem to have accidentally clicked on the "book" button so will have to go now.

Martin

[mihizawi]

Sounds like it's gonna be an amazing concert... And that makes me think...

Now that I work and could pay it myself... I am seriously considering a trip to a Hayley concert this summer... However, I can't travel on my own: on known places I use an electric wheelchair, but it is risky to go with it to places I don't know, because it's incredibly heavy and that makes it very inflexible hwen it comes to overcome obstacles and any kind of transport in any vehicle not specifically adapted for wheelchairs. That's why for trips, I use my other wheelchair, but with it I can't go anywhere on my own. So, if I am to travel to a Hayley concert, I need to find someone who would come with me. I thought of Ezequiel, my friend who is a member of this forum (not active, though) and who is the greatest fan around me, I know he would love to go with me and meet Hayley. Unfortunately, from August 15th to early September he is in Argentina, so he won't be able to go to this one. So, now I am thinking if I should wait and see if there's any other concert this summer I could go with Ezequiel, or if I should try to find someone else to go with me... What do you think I should do?

Bt rhe way, I am really looking forward, not only to see Hayley in concert, but to meet as many of you as possible, let's hope, one way or another, I am able to do both this summer.

Michal

[martindn]

Hi Michal,

Although this is an outdoor concert in a grass field, the website says there us good wheelchair access and a special area for wheelchair users.

See www.gwylgobaith.org/en/information/

and

www.gwylgobaith.org/en/information/location/

Martin D

[mihizawi]

Hi, Martin, thank you a lot for the info... Certainly nice to see it is accessible. Yet, even knowing that the venue is accessible, there are many other reasonns why it would be risky to go abroad, to a place I've never been before, with the electric wheelchair: I don't trust low-cost companies to be enough careful with the heavy wheelchair, that, due to its weight, can be easily damaged if left loosely with other baggage. Then, from the airport that I could reach by plane (probably Liverpool) to the venue and/or the hotel/motel, everything should be perfectly accesible (including transport) or I could be in serious trouble being alone in the UK with a wheelchair that 4 young people find hard to lift... So, as I said, going alone, isn't an option (unfortunately, because I'd love to be able to travel on my own).

I have two options, wait and look for another Hayley concert around Europe on summer, but before August 15th so Ezequiel can come with me or see if I can get someone else to go with me, which is not gonna be easy, people here don't know her enough to be big fans of her. I think I-ll try looking for someone else, hopefully I will be able to trick someone to a nice trip to Wales.

Michal

[Martin]

Sadly, I will now not be able to go the concert owing to holidays. If anyone would like to buy a "priority" ticket then please pm me.

Martin

[Richard]

Hello folks!

Here's a preview from the Daily Post:

Hayley Westenra at Gwyl Gobaith



THE purity of soprano Hayley Westenra’s voice will once again fill the air this summer. This time, the New Zealander will be duetting with Rhys Meirion at the Gwyl Gobaith Festival. But on the phone, Hayley was coy about what they’ll be singing. “A popular classic!” she teased. “It’s a very moving song I’ve loved for a long time.”

The four-day August Bank Holiday weekend festival at Northop opens with a headline performance by Hayley at the extravaganza which also features Steps, Charlotte Church, North Wales Youth Orchestra, Sioned Terry, Bryn Fôn, Shân Cothi and the Three Welsh tenors, Lucie Jones, Pheena, plus Al Lewis, Masters In France and Mr Phormula.

The event will raise cash for charities Cancer Research UK, Wales Air Ambulance, Clic Sargent and HeadtoHeart.

Hayley made her North Wales debut at Bryn Terfel’s Faenol Festival in 2003, when she sang a beautiful Maori lullaby and Ave Maria with Bryn and Jose Carreras.

She said: “I must have been 16 and I’ve just turned 25. It’s just incredible that people have such good memories! I am really proud to have been invited to perform by Bryn. I got such a warm welcome on stage from the crowd.”

Her latest album Paradiso was recorded in Rome with legendary film composer Ennio Morricone and his orchestra, with Hayley writing lyrics.

“It was incredible,” she gushes. “I went to Rome to see him in 2010 but five years previously I’d been invited to meet him in Sicily. He’d been putting on a concert there and thought we could collaborate.

“Five years later, the collaboration came about! When you first meet him (in a Rome studio) it was pretty intimidating.

“But we became good friends. It went from working together on a few songs to doing a full album. He offered me a lot of direction and encouraged me to dig deep.”

“There was a bit of a language barrier but we still had a few laughs.”

Her followers will hear a more mature singing voice.

“When I listen back to the recordings, I see my voice is fuller now. The range has changed and there’s a difference in tone and quality. But I was working with a musical genius and I put lyrics to his amazing melodies.”

But Hayley is still hankering after her homeland, especially earthquake-hit Christchurch.

“They’re still having to take buildings down. The ground still moves from time to time. It’s a bit unsettling for everyone.

“My Dad (Gerald) values gemstones and second hand jewellery. He has a shop in the heart of the central business district. He was really lucky to get out.”

It’s a reminder that some things are even more important than music. Gwyl Gobaith Festival of Hope, August 24-27, www.gwylgobaith.org. Tickets www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk, 0845 330 3565

Richard

[Libby]

She'll be encountering Charlotte Church! When's the last time that happened? I want them to take a picture together!

[martindn]

Hi Libby,

Not sure Hayley and Charlotte will be the same night. But I'll let you know, since I'll be there.

If you want to go, looks like I have a spare ticket since Sue has to work. It is always the risk I run buying tickets months in advance. It is a priority ticket of course. If anyone wants it, PM me,

Martin D