Further memorandum from Llangollen International
Musical Eisteddfod
My involvement with the British Embassies in
the Eastern European countries initially starts with a request
from the various group leaders to send a list of competitors to
the Embassy concerned so that the necessary Visas can be issued.
This list is in fact supplied by the group themselves which we
simply pass forward.
In spite of our assertions to submit their Visa
applications early, many groups leave it until the last minute
and then problems to occur in as much that certain members within
the group for whatever reason are not allowed Visas. This prompts
the group to send urgent e-mails highlighting the problem and
I in turn telephone the Embassies concerned in the knowledge that
I cannot really affect any change in their decision. The group
always indicate that these individuals are key members of the
group and without them they will be unable to travel and as a
result we have last-minute withdrawals for this reason.
Generally speaking the Embassies are very courteous
and I acknowledge that they have a job to do in vetting individual
members in the groups which can be a very difficult job. However,
from my experience I note that there is a tendency for single
people on low income without any dependents to be refused Visas
and there is little I can do in this regard to make the Embassies
change their mind. From an Eisteddfod point of view this is very
disappointing in as much that by this time the Hospitality Committee
will have arranged accommodation and I may well have arranged
for coach transport from the various airports which has to be
cancelled. It also upsets the timings of the groups on stage in
various competitions and should they have been invited to take
part in a concert it means last-minute rearrangements of the evening
performance.
Keith Hall
Competitors' Liaison Officer
16 January 2001
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