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Young #Urdd winner melts hearts with tearful message to mam - BBC News

#Cymru #Wales #EisteddfodYrUrdd

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c7069wx37x1o

Shwmae! Dechrau fy Dydd Gwener yn #Eisteddfod yr #Urdd.

Starting my Friday at Eisteddfod yr Urdd

Ymlacio ar ôl diwrnod gwlyb iawn yn #Eisteddfod Yr #Urdd.

Da iawn i'r trefnwyr a'r cystadleuwyr - cyfle ardderchog i bobl ifainc.

#PortTalbot #ParcMargam #EisteddfodYrUrdd

Record-breaking numbers to compete at next week’s Urdd

Following the final rounds of the Urdd’s Composing and Creating Competitions (homework), the organisation is proud to announce a record-breaking 119,593 registrations to compete in this year’s festival, which also includes a significant rise (of 42%) in the number of young Welsh learners compared to last year.

Organisers have also confirmed details for the shuttle bus service running between Port Talbot (Parkway) train station to the Eisteddfod Maes throughout the week. The service is free to the public, running between 06:30 and 21:56 or 23:26 (depending on which day).

Thanks to a £200,000 support package from the Welsh Government, lower income families can access the Maes for free once again this year.

Llio Maddocks, Director of the Arts, Urdd Gobaith Cymru said: “Eisteddfod yr Urdd is for all. Seeing more young people and more Welsh learners than ever choosing to take part this year proves that the Eisteddfod is meeting the needs and the interests of the young people of Wales, providing them with valuable opportunities to experience activities and opportunities to build their self-confidence through the medium of Welsh. A huge thank you in advance to the hundreds of volunteers helping us at the festival next week.”

As well as competitors, local talent and celebrities be visiting the Eisteddfod, including the festival’s President Jeremy Miles MS, and five Presidents of the Day: actor Steffan Rhodri, famous for his role as ‘Dave Coaches’ in Gavin and Stacey, presenters and sports stars Lowri Morgan and Sarra Elgan, entrepreneur Emyr Afan from Afanti and singer and TikTok star Bronwen Lewis, who also performed the Eisteddfod’s Welcome Song alongside Huw Chiswell.

Triban Festival continues on the maes over the weekend (30-31 May). Friday night will be a tribute to Welsh musician and performer Dewi Pws, with artists including Mei Gwynedd and band, Dadleoli, Taran, local schools and more. Saturday will be an evening with Huw Chiswell, Bronwen Lewis, Aleighcia Scott and other popular artists. 

The Urdd and the local Council say they acknowledge the incredible work and dedication of local residents who have worked tirelessly over the past three years to raise money for the event.

Neath Port Talbot Councillor and Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing said: “As we eagerly anticipate the National Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025, I am delighted to welcome this prestigious event to our beautiful county. The record-breaking number of registrations and the increase in young Welsh learners highlight the festival’s growing impact and importance. We are proud to host such a vibrant celebration of Welsh culture and arts at Margam Country Park. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in organising this event and look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to experience the best of Neath Port Talbot.”

Live broadcasts on S4C and BBC Radio Cymru

For those unable to attend this year, S4C will be broadcasting the competitions from the Red, White and Green pavilions from 8.00am every day and they will be streamed on Clic.

For the first time, it will also be possible to look back on the streams and re-watch competitions, by watching Clic on desktop devices. The streams will be available for a period of 3 days after the competitions have taken place and it will be possible to ‘spool’ the stream by watching on a computer or laptop. This will be available from the ‘Our picks’ section at the top of the Clic home page.

S4C’s live daily programmes will be hosted by Trystan Ellis Morris and Heledd Cynwal between 10.30am and 6.30pm and a highlights programme will air every night at 8.00pm. These programmes will be available on demand on Clic and BBC iPlayer with English subtitles.

BBC Radio Cymru and the Ifan Evans programme will be broadcasting daily live radio shows on the Maes between 2pm and 5pm, with Jac Northfield joining in. All winners will also be featured across the station and BBC Cymru Fyw will share the latest daily news and stories online.

The main daily ceremonies will take place in the white pavilion at 2pm: Monday, Chief Artist and Art Medal; Tuesday, the Drama Medal; Wednesday, Welsh Learners Medal and the Bobi Jones Medal; Thursday, the Chairing; Friday, the Crowning; Saturday, Main Composer Medal.

#Eisteddfod #MargamCountryPark #NeathPortTalbot #PortTalbot #Urdd #WelshLanguage

Morriston couple win Urdd award for dedication to promoting Welsh language and culture

David Gwyn and Pamela John from Morriston have been announced as the winners of the John and Ceridwen Hughes, Uwchaled Award at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr Parc Margam a’r Fro 2025.

Known as pillars of the local community, the married couple have dedicated themselves tirelessly over the decades to promoting the Welsh language and culture among the children and young people of the area. The John and Ceridwen Hughes, Uwchaled Award recognises outstanding volunteers who have made a significant contribution to the life of young people in Wales. Considering David and Pamela’s contribution, it comes as no surprise that they are this year’s winners.

In the early 1960s, they established ‘Aelwyd yr Urdd Treforys’ in the vestry of the Tabernacle Chapel in Morriston. For the first time, it gave young people in the area an opportunity to socialise through the Welsh language. It was a place full of buzz and enthusiasm, and under David and Pamela’s leadership, the ‘aelwyd’ competed regularly at Eisteddfod yr Urdd, at the National Eisteddfod and at the Cerdd Dant Festival. It also hosted many a Noson Lawen (light entertainment concerts) throughout south Wales.

Presenter Heledd Cynwal had the honour of announcing the news at Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston, yesterday.

Helping local young people to “discover their Welshness”

Among more than 100 members of ‘Aelwyd yr Urdd Treforys’ that would meet every Friday evening were musician and composer, Geraint Davies (from the folk group, Mynediad am Ddim), and the late singer and actor, Dewi Pws. The latter once stated in an interview that he “discovered his Welshness” at the age of fifteen at the Urdd Aelwyd in the Morriston chapel.

Musician Geraint Davies (and composer of ‘Hei Mistar Urdd’) said: “I was fifteen when I joined Aelwyd Treforys in 1968 and without doubt it changed my life. David Gwyn and Pam John had been at the helm for some time and would be for many years afterwards. Remarkably, with some unruly individuals, they managed to establish choirs, folk dance groups and Noson Lawen performers that were among the finest in Wales.

“There was an open door for Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers alike at a time when secondary education in Swansea was all in English. This was the antidote – being immersed in the Welsh language every Friday night and sometimes on Saturday as well. The big bonus was that David had a bus driving licence, so it enabled us to travel regularly to other aelwydydd, to national events, and as far away as Scotland in 1970. It broadened our horizons. I found a life partner in that aelwyd too, and I’m one of many who did so.

“They’re still active years later – running the activities of ‘Cymdeithas Gymraeg Treforys’ (Morriston’s Welsh Society). Thank you and congratulations David and Pam!”

Before retiring, both worked in education and loved supporting and promoting the young people of the area. David was Headteacher at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Lôn Las and Pamela was a teacher there. Both have also been active on various local committees and on Eisteddfod sub-committees and have fundraised locally. They celebrated their Diamond Wedding last summer.

Llio Maddocks, Director of the Arts, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, said: “These are two well-loved and popular individuals who have contributed so much to the Welshness of the area where this year’s Eisteddfod is held. They are fully deserving of the John and Ceridwen Hughes, Uwchaled Award 2025. We need volunteers and people like David and Pamela in our local areas: people who are willing to dedicate their precious time to support young people. Their contribution is invaluable and we’re grateful for their tireless work over the decades.”

David and Pamela will be honoured in a special ceremony at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr 2025. The John and Ceridwen Hughes, Uwchaled Award is given by Dewi and Gerallt Hughes, in memory of their parents, John and Ceridwen Hughes, who were very active in youth work.

#Morriston #Urdd #WelshLanguage

Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025 Chair and Crown Unveiled

Angharad Pearce Jones from the Brynaman area has designed and created the Chair, sponsored by Soar-Maesyrhaf Chapel. Nicola Palterman from Neath has created the Crown, sponsored by primary schools in the West Glamorgan Region.

Some of the final pieces of steel from Tata Steel’s works were used in the designs of the two prizes, paying tribute to the local industrial heritage of this year’s Eisteddfod yr Urdd, which will be held at Margam Park, Port Talbot.

Creating an Eisteddfod chair “a dream come true”

“Creating this year’s chair has been a wonderful privilege and a dream come true. It’s something that’s been on my wish list for many years,” says Angharad Pearce Jones, the award-winning artist who is originally from Y Bala, but who has lived in the Brynaman area for twenty years.

The chair is inspired by the local steel works and industry, and a combination of the Welsh steel and flat steel produced in Port Talbot was used to create it. Angharad was given a guided tour of the Tata Steel site and saw parts that were not visible from the main road, such as countless pipes, and these parts can be seen on the finished chair.

“I’m lucky that I had the last piece of Welsh iron ore from Tata’s works for the chair, and I was determined to create a chair that felt positive – a celebration rather than a sad symbol of the past. My intention was to create a contemporary and appealing chair for the young person who will hopefully win it. I want them to be able to enjoy the chair forever.”

Angharad is famous for her work with steel. She won the gold medal for fine art at the 2024 National Eisteddfod at Rhondda Cynon Taf, and she’s currently designing a permanent sculpture for the site of the Ruthin Craft Centre.

The chair is sponsored by the Soar-Maesyrhaf Chapel, Neath. Angharad visited this Welsh chapel while researching the history and the building for further inspiration: “Remarkably, the woodwork and the red and cream colours of the steelworks’ pipes were similar to the chapel’s colours. There was a strong sense of correlation between the two sites. Many of the Welsh-speaking people who used to attend the chapel were also employed in the steelworks, and the chapel will be reflected in the design as well.”

It’s clear that Angharad was thrilled at the opportunity, as the Urdd means so much to her. “I had a lot of fun and success competing on the Urdd stage with school choirs in Y Bala. Our school won the choir competition five years in a row. We were famous and we released a CD! I’ve competed in gymnastics, on the piano and as a soloist, and my daughter has just competed in the Urdd’s rugby 7s competition. We owe a great debt to the Urdd.”

The crown to feature diamonds “for the first time ever”

This year’s crown is sponsored by the primary schools of the West Glamorgan Region. They were looking for someone local to create the crown and Nicola Palterman jumped at the opportunity when asked.

“I’ve had several interesting design commissions over the years, from wedding rings to prizes such as the Prince William Cup, but this is the first crown,” explains the luxury jewellery designer. “My business partner, Laura Thomas, has designed a crown for the National Eisteddfod in the past, and now I’ve had the opportunity to design a crown for Eisteddfod yr Urdd!”

Born and bred in Neath, Nicola went on to study at the Birmingham School of Jewellery before being offered a job as a luxury jewellery designer at Aur Cymru, Dolgellau. She set up her own jewellery shop in Dolgellau 30 years ago, before deciding to establish a business back in her hometown. After sharing a studio and workshop with local jeweller Laura Thomas, the pair decided to merge their businesses and create ‘Jewel and Grace’ eighteen months ago.

In discussions with the sponsors and the local committee, everyone agreed that the culture and history of the area needed to be reflected in the design: “I wanted the design to be based on the steel and sea theme. The waves of the coastal landscape in the Aberavon area can be seen, while the birds are a strong symbol in this year’s Welcome Song and offer much hope for the future. But the design also recognises the importance of the steel industry, which has been the lifeblood of people over the years.

“The material is a striking combination of the ‘young’, shiny silver; tin coated with a layer of local steel from Tata’s works; and blue velvet that represents the maritime element on the cap. I’ve also added small blue diamonds to introduce an element of luxury that has been a hallmark of my work over the years. I think it’s the first time ever that the Eisteddfod yr Urdd crown contains diamonds!”

The Chairing ceremony will be held on the Thursday of the Eisteddfod, sponsored by the Ivor and Aeres Evans Trust. The Crowning ceremony will take place on the Friday of the festival, sponsored by Cardiff University.

#Brynamman #Chair #crown #JerseyMarine #Neath #NeathPortTalbot #sculpture #Urdd

Transport for Wales launches ‘Mistar Urdd’ train at Port Talbot

The train was welcomed by First Minister Eluned Morgan, along with Siân Lewis, CEO of the Urdd and Ysgol Tyler’r Ynn.

The new CAF Class 197 trains have been running all over the Wales and Borders network since 2022 and are part TfW’s £800 million investment into brand-new trains.  

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “It’s great to see one of our new trains named after Mr Urdd, who has a special place in the hearts of so many of us in Wales and will bring a smile to the faces of passengers.

“What better way to travel to the Urdd Eisteddfod, and so many events in Wales this summer,  than aboard one of our brand new Transport for Wales trains.”

Lowri Joyce, Welsh Language Strategy Lead said:  “Who better and more iconic than Mr Urdd, who is recognisable by almost all children in Wales. We are also pleased to be supporting the Urdd’s Fund for All, to allow children from impoverished backgrounds to enjoy a holiday at one of their many camps.

“We are proud to give him a big Croeso Cynnes onto our network ahead of the Eisteddfod in Margam Park so do keep an eye out for him as he travels all over Wales.”   

Siân Lewis, Chief Executive of the Urdd, added:  “Getting to the Eisteddfod in Margam by public transport will be extremely easy.

“A bus service will be provided between Port Talbot train station and the Maes, and further details will be on our website.

“This goes hand in hand with our commitment to running a green festival and reducing carbon emissions.”

#Class197Trains #ElunedMorganMS #FirstMinister #MargamCountryPark #PortTalbot #TransportForWales #Urdd