Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod celebrates 70 years

The eisteddfod took place on Saturday, September 24, with a pleasing number of competitors taking part in all sessions and a high standard maintained throughout the day. Again, this year, a chairing ceremony was held during the evening session and the chaired bard was John Meurig Edwards, from Brecon, who had won the chair at Llanwrtyd on two other previous occasions. He had written a poem on the set title ‘Y Gystadleuaeth – The competition’ and had used the nom-de-plume of Loge Las which is his native area in Cardiganshire between Pont-rhyd-y-groes and Ysbyty Ystwyth.

None (Image: None)

The second prize in this competition was awarded to Gaenor Mai Jones, of Rhondda Cynon Taf, while Llanwrtyd’s own Lorraine Voss was highly commended.

The cup given by Dr Delyth Hurley for the most outstanding competitor of the morning session was won by Life Taranenko.

The cup given by Charcroft Electronics for the most outstanding competitor of the afternoon session was won by Ioan Joshua Mabbutt, from Aberystwyth.

The Eileen Jones Memorial Cup, given by Jennifer and Janet for the youth choir competition, was won by Newbridge-on-Wye Primary School, with Franksbridge Primary School awarded second prize.

None (Image: None)

Berian Lewis stepped in as musical adjudicator late on, with the task of literary adjudicator undertaken by Glesni Euros Thomas, from London, who had previously competed at Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod. Val Loveridge, from Beulah, was the art adjudicator, accompanist for the morning session was Heather Davis, also from Beulah, and during the afternoon and evening sessions the accompanist was Sian Gwawr Davies – repetiteur for the Welsh National Opera.

The presidents for the morning session were Paul Newman and Vicky Melor, of Charcroft Electronics, who have sponsored the eisteddfod for many years.

OTHER NEWS:

• Builth man broke police offer's ribs after 101mph chase
• Llanidloes foodbank seeing desperate families arrive in tears
• Charlotte Church's Dream Build: How to book Powys retreat stay

In the afternoon session, Annabelle Thomas, from Cefngorwydd, was the president; she is currently the oldest member of the eisteddfod committee and celebrated her 100th birthday in June. In her speech, Annabelle said how she could remember the golden era of the eisteddfodau when an eisteddfod would have been held in nearly every chapel and village throughout Wales. Sadly, by now, the only eisteddfod in this area is the one held in Llanwrtyd. She congratulated the committee members for their hard work and persistence in organising the event, thus ensuring that some of our old and best traditions are passed on to future generations.

Conductors were Gill Lloyd, Michelle Davies and Steve Mason, with Iwan Price, John Davies, Anwen Price, Elin, Ioan, Elan and Alis Mabbutt acting as stewards.

None (Image: None)

Hywel Davies is the chairman and treasurer of the committee and thanked everyone who had contributed in any way towards the success of the event. Susan Price is the correspondence secretary.

A mid-day lunch for the adjudicators was kindly provided by the James family at the Drovers Rest with refreshments provided in the hall by Delyth Jones, Gill Lloyd and Antoinette de Kleijn.

Present at the morning session was Llanwrtyd county councillor Peter James and MS Jane Dodds, who was accompanied by David Chadwick, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Brecon and Radnor.

The 2023 Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod will be held on Saturday, September 23, next year. One event to look forward to later in the year is the eisteddfod committee’s annual Christmas Bingo event, taking place on Friday, November 25, in the Victoria Hall.