A 90-YEAR-OLD care home resident who had made it her mission to visit the town’s International Eisteddfod every year has received a special visit.

This is the first year that Nancy Povey, a former Llangollen souvenir shop owner, is unable to attend the Eisteddfod but was given a helping hand by the Aroha Junior Choir, from Shillong, north east India who delivered a special performance at the Hillbury Care Home, Wrexham yesterday.

The choir are visiting the area to participated in the Llangollen Eisteddfod, which celebrates cultures from across the world and promotes worldwide peace and reconciliation.

Ms Povey, who is a talented pianist herself, said: “This year is the first year I haven’t been able to get to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. I would always go every year. I love it listening to musicians from all around the globe.

“I had been feeling a little sad that I wouldn’t get to go there anymore but having the choir here was just like having the Eisteddfod brought to us. It was as if I was there in the main pavilion again, listening to all the beautiful music.”

The Aroha choir too were thrilled to be asked to deliver the performance, which is part of Pendine Park Care Organisation, a sponsor of the Eisteddfod this year.

Pendine Park artist in residence, Sarah Edwards, said: “It was a privilege for us all to get the chance to meet them and listen to them sing at such close quarters.

“Their voices are outstanding.”

The choir comprises young people aged from 11 to 19. About 20 choir members, leaders and some of their parents made the trip after a long fundraising campaign to pay for the journey to Wales.

Among the parents who came from India were Toony Gill, whose daughter Denise, 15, is a choir member, and AJ Lynrah, whose son Aryan, 14, sings in the choir.

Mr Lynrah said: “It has been wonderful for us all making this first visit to the Eisteddfod.

“It is a hugely inspiring festival and we feel honoured that the choir was also invited to come to Hillbury to meet the residents and sing for them.”

Choir director and conductor Pauline Warjri said they had rehearsed for many months for their visit.

She said: “It has been a wonderful experience and everyone has been exceptionally friendly towards us.”

The choir, dressed in vibrant red and gold costumes, performed traditional folk and spiritual songs a capella including ‘Ezekiel Saw the Wheel’, a medley of Disney musical favourites, which featured ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’ and hymns including ‘I Need Thee Every Hour’.

The Hillbury residents gave the choir a rousing cheer at the end of their concert and spent time chatting with some of the choir members about their musical heritage.