THE Llangollen Eisteddfod will be celebrating the 11th year of its fantastic Inclusion Project that helps to promote unity and diversity throughout Cheshire, North Wales and Shropshire.

The 2019 performance Tapestry is going through final rehearsals by this year’s participants were a great success as they countdown to their performance on the main stage on Wednesday, July 3.

Leslie Churchill Ward, the project’s Creative Director, said: “I chose the theme of tapestry as I felt the act of weaving would really inspire our musical composition and choreography. The image of threads entwining to create art really breathes life into the concept of inclusion.”

Chester and District Standard:

I then discovered a quote from American poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou which really hit the mark for me: ‘We should all know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their colour.’”

Facilitated by a generous grant from Chester and Wrexham-based Grosvenor Insurance Services, the performance will reflect on important issues concerning diversity in an inspiring and poignant piece.

Five unique groups have come together from across North Wales to present individual performances which will culminate in joint piece based on the groups’ thoughts on the theme ‘Tapestry’, promoting the idea of spreading love and peace via music, song and dance.

This year’s participating groups consist of a diverse and inclusive collection of people from areas in North Wales. Taking part are Wrexham Singing Hands, a British Sign Language Choir, mental health Ukulele group, Mind Tones, Wrexham One Love Choir, consisting of member who have experienced homelessness, addiction and marginalisation, Derwen on Tour (DOT), a group of Creative Studies students from Derwen College in Gobowen, who offer Makaton sign, song and dance performance and workshops, and the Theatretrain Regional Choir from Mold.

Speaking following the rehearsals for this year’s performance, Leslie added: “Last Saturday all the groups met each other for the first time and rehearsed. Choreographer Angharad Harrop, assisted by Emily Fox, brought the song to life, and it was exciting seeing all of the different groups swirling together and hearing them build their vocal harmonies.”

“This year for the first time, all of the instrumentalists performing the original song come directly from for our Inclusion Project groups, too. This is a huge undertaking and a massive achievement for all involved!”

The festival’s Inclusion Project has been running for over ten years, helping promote unity and diversity throughout North Wales, Shropshire and Cheshire. The project gives local disability and community groups whose members would not usually have the opportunity to perform at international events. They have practiced together for months, culminating in a unique performance on the main stage on 3rd July.

Choreographer for the Inclusion Project, Angharad Harrop is enthusiastic about the final performance.

She said: “Saturday’s rehearsal really did embody this year’s theme of Tapestry.”

“I learn so much on this project about the power of community and how strong we can be when we work together. Alone we may just be one thread but put us together and we make this rich, intricate and diverse tapestry that is admired by all. The 3rd July is going to be very special indeed.”

Support from organisations like Grosvenor Insurance Services allow the Inclusion Project to continue in its efforts to carry out life-changing work with communities who would otherwise not have the opportunity to perform onstage. The Inclusion Project enables people from diverse backgrounds to express themselves at the Eisteddfod.