Press Release Date - Wednesday 29th April 2009

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales' foremost music festival, today announced that it is joining the successful Llangollen Loyalty Card scheme operated by town businesses in association with the Royal International Pavilion.

The scheme, supported by Denbighshire County Council, allows shoppers to collect stamps when they spend money in participating local shops and businesses. A completed card full of stamps can be redeemed against entry to Pavilion events.

"The Royal International Pavilion is the home of the Llangollen Eisteddfod and so it is natural that we should want to be involved," said Mervyn Cousins, Executive Director of the Eisteddfod. "We are pleased to be able to work with the local businesses to encourage people to shop locally and to give everyone an opportunity to experience the delights of this wonderful festival that has taken place on their doorsteps every year for the last 63 years."

The Eisteddfod will participate in the Loyalty Card scheme by offering a discount of £10 against ticket purchases on presentation of a completed loyalty card. This will apply to 'on the day' purchases, not advance tickets.

Michael Hughes, representing the Llangollen Partnership said, "We are really pleased to have the Eisteddfod on board. This is the premier music festival not just in North Wales, but in the whole of the country; we are so lucky to have it happen in our town. By joining the Loyalty Card scheme, the Eisteddfod further cements its relationship with the town."

Over 30 local businesses are already signed up to participate in the Llangollen Loyalty Card. "We are sure that when they realise the excellent value available in Llangollen, and the great shows at the Eisteddfod and at the Pavilion the rest of the year, people will be even keener to shop locally," Michael added.

Mervyn Cousins went on to explain how it is important that the whole community pulls together in these difficult times: "The Eisteddfod is having to watch every penny at the moment. Many festival are going through exceptionally hard times, and some have closed their doors for good. We are determined that this will not happen to us, but even so we want to do what we can to play our part in the local community."

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will take place from 6 to 12 July. It will feature celebrity evening concerts featuring stars and choirs including Faryl Smith, Mark Evans, Côr Godre'r Aran, Cantorion Colin Jones, the Fron Male Voice Choir, Barbara Dickson, Sir Willard White, Blake, and Natasha Marsh. The Sunday evening spectacular will be an evening of James Bond music presented by Carl Davies and hosted by Honor Blackman.

During the Eisteddfod days the field and Pavilion will be full of colour and music as choir and folk dance competitions are held, and impromptu performances take place wherever there is space. On Sunday there will be a programme of music and events on the Eisteddfod field and in the town of Llangollen.

For tickets and/or further information call 01978 862001 or visit www.llangollen2009.com