Organisers have revealed why Machynlleth will not host the Urdd Eisteddfod in 2024.
The historic capital of Wales was expected to welcome thousands of visitors to the town and surrounding area at next year’s event after it was announced in 2019 as the host.
With less than 15 months until the big event, an announcement was made on Thursday (March 2) that a farm near Meifod, more than 30 miles from Machynlleth, will be the new location of the Montgomeryshire Urdd Eisteddfod.
The Urdd said that following further research and discussions, Machynlleth was not a suitable place to host one of Europe’s largest youth festivals.
READ MORE: Urdd Eisteddfod 2024 relocates from Machynlleth to Meifod
They said several factors were in favour of Meifod instead of Machynlleth including the area's traffic system, flood risk and convenience to host a youth festival “which has grown and developed significantly since 2019”.
“The Urdd is looking forward to taking the Urdd Eisteddfod back to Montgomeryshire where it was last held in 1988,” a spokesperson for the youth movement said.
“The excitement is already being felt throughout the county and we look forward as a movement to working together with volunteers and communities in Montgomeryshire over the next year as we prepare for a special festival in 2024.”
Montgomeryshire politicians Russell George MS and Craig Williams MP say they are both looking forward to visiting the Urdd Eisteddfod when it returns to north Powys for the first time in 36 years.
Russell George MS said: “I’m delighted that Eisteddfod yr Urdd will be returning to Meifod next year – it is a great vote of confidence in the local community as well as its members and volunteers across Montgomeryshire.
“I hope that Meifod will once again be the destination for families across Wales in 2024 and would also urge all those who live in our part of the country to take advantage of having this great festival on our doorstep once more.”
While Craig Williams MP added: “Whilst it is a shame that the organisers are unable to hold the festival in Machynlleth as was originally intended, I am very pleased that next year’s Urdd Eisteddfod will still be held in Montgomeryshire – replicating the huge success of the National Eisteddfod previously held at Mathrafal in 2003 and 2015.
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“It will be a fantastic occasion in celebrating our Welsh language and culture, as well as boosting Montgomeryshire’s local economy through welcoming thousands of visitors to our beautiful county.”
The Welsh Conservatives leader at Powys County Council, Cllr Aled Davies said: “I can’t wait to see children and young people from across Wales coming to Montgomeryshire to compete at the Eisteddfod and it will also be a brilliant opportunity for our own talented youngsters to take part.
“But before then, there is so much work to be done in the next 12 months and I know that there are many groups across the county that are already fundraising to support the Eisteddfod, which I hope everyone will be able to support.”
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