A TALENTED young dancer from Llandudno starred in her performance at a special Christmas concert in Bangor.
14-year-old Efa Williams, a pupil at Ysgol y Gogarth in Llandudno, took centre stage with her starring role at the service held at Bangor Cathedral.
The teenager also made a bit of history as it was the first ever fully inclusive and accessible service at the cathedral.
The Christmas Celebration was led by Naomi Wood, the cathedral's Family Minister, and was attended by more than 180 people.
It was organised by Davina Carey-Evans, the current High Sheriff of Gwynedd, whose own son has autism and who has worked extensively to increase provisions for those with mental and physical disabilities.
She has set up a Community Interest Company called PIWS (Welsh for purple) to help businesses and other venues improve access – especially for those with hidden disabilities.
According to her mum, Ceinwen Williams, Efa loved her moment in the spotlight, particularly as she’s a big fan of hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing.
Ceinwen said: “We went to see the Strictly Show Live and we’ve been a few times to Venue Cymru in Llandudno and to Theatr Clwyd in Mold to see dance shows, such as Diversity, with Oti Mabusi.
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“Efa sees dance as an easy way to communicate her feelings - easier than verbally she says. She really enjoys all kinds of dancing, and really enjoyed the dance club at school.”
Also among those taking part was a choir from Conwy Connect, an organisation set up to promote the rights of people with learning disabilities from the counties of Conwy and Denbighshire.
Using Makaton, a language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech, the choir’s diverse repertoire included the Christmas Carol, Silent Night and Can’t Help Falling in Love.
Jane McIlveen from Penmaenmawr accompanied her son, Sean, 31, who has Down’s Syndrome and loves singing, with the Conwy Connect choir.
"It's been a lovely morning. The service was a wonderful opportunity for us all to get together. We've known many of the people here today for many years," she said.
"He loves making things in the arts and crafts and regularly goes to discos and takes part in karaoke. And he loves singing with the choir. He's really enjoyed himself here today."
There were also performances by Ysgol Pendalar in Caernarfon, Canolfan Addysg y Bont in Llangefni and Ysgol y Gogarth as well as residents from a care home.
The concert was enjoyed by keen PIWS supporter Kerri-Ann Jones, who manages the organisation’s webpage and social media accounts.
She was at the service with her three children, seven-year-old Felicity, four-year-old Aubrey and 14-month-old Verity.
The family, from Holyhead, had never visited the cathedral before and were delighted to have the opportunity to attend the service.
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Kerri-Ann said: "Events like this bring us all together and we need more opportunities like this.
"Felicity attends Ysgol y Bont in Llangefni and they are doing some fantastic work with her and she took part in the service itself. Aubrey is four years old and Felicity is 14 months and we have never been able to attend a church service before.
"We've been to weddings in the past and have had to take them out of the church because they become fidgety and have had to be taken outside and there is a need for more opportunities like this and for children like Felicity to be part of the wider community."
Speaking after the service Davina, said the event was "humbling and moving", adding: “There were brilliant performances by everybody who took part and Efa’s dancing was just remarkable and melted all our hearts.”
Davina added: "It doesn't matter what their behaviour is and I hope this becomes an annual event. I get so moved by seeing these kids having such a wonderful time but it's also the people that support them and how hard they work.
"There needs to be more opportunities like this where people can come out and everybody be included.
The Archbishop of Wales, the Right Rev Andrew John, said: "We are so glad to see PIWS here because Christmas gives us an opportunity to bless people with additional needs, so it is entirely appropriate for us to do something as good as this in the cathedral in Bangor.
"We haven't done anything with PIWS before and I believe that being here today is an opportunity for us all build something for the future.
“And of course to come here in the Christmas period is completely appropriate because the Christmas story is all about extending a welcome to everyone."
After concluding the service with a blessing the Archbishop emulated Father Christmas by handing out gifts to the children.
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