A US Ambassador has hailed the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as “fabulous”.

Robert Holmes Tuttle, US Ambassador to the Court of St James, was speaking at the event yesterday in his role as the eisteddfod’s International Youth Day president.

He said he was delighted to be invited to Llangollen, which he described as a “slice of heaven”.

Mr Tuttle joined the White House staff in 1982 as assistant to President Reagan and went on to be made Ambassador to the Court of St James in July 2005.

He said: “I was honoured to be invited to be the day president. This is my fourth trip to Wales, but I had not been to the northern part of the country as ambassador and I wasn’t prepared for how beautiful it was.

“I am most impressed and proud to be here for the eisteddfod. To see the children and the mixture of children from all over the world is so impressive.

“It is fabulous children from all over the world can come and, not only perform, but talk with other people from all over the world. Many friendships are blossomed here.

“It is wonderful they have a chance to integrate.”

The heavy rain of recent weeks again held off for day three of the eisteddfod, with only a slight shower and sunny spells.

“I think we brought some Californian sunshine,” said Mr Tuttle.

He gave his day president’s address on the main stage, where he said the eisteddfod was well deserving of its 2004 nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Also attending the eisteddfod yesterday, for the first time in nearly 30 years, was Welsh Assembly culture minister Carwyn Jones. He said: “It is the first time I have been to the eisteddfod since 1978. It has changed since then. There are so many things going on.”

Young choirs, dance groups, soloists and musicians took to the stage for what was described as one of the best International Youth Days at the eisteddfod.

International Youth Day yesterday saw youngsters from across the world compete, from a folk dance group from Trinidad and Tobago to a children’s choir from Ysgol Deiniol, Marchwiel.

Today is International Celtic Day. The Shropshire Star is sponsoring this evening’s concert, featuring Hayley Westenra.
By Suzanne Roberts