Boards WalesThe #Urdd is looking for new Board members. Many vacancies, Welsh essential.
EditorCouncil Leader hails success of Margam Country Park Urdd Eisteddfod
This year’s Eisteddfod yr Urdd at Margam Country Park attracted a record-breaking 119,593 registrations to compete. There was also a 42% increase in the number of Welsh learners taking part compared to last year,
In total, 17 schools from Neath Port Talbot were positioned either first, second or third during the finals week with many more taking part in the earlier qualifying rounds.
Cllr Hunt said: “These were remarkable results reflecting the talent and dedication of our young people. Along with others in the Gorllewin Morgannwg (West Glamorgan) region, Neath Port Talbot proudly secured 3rd place overall—a testament to the hard work of Neath Port Talbot’s pupils, teachers, and families.
“At a time of financial and employment stresses it has been uplifting to see our county borough in the national headlines for all the right reasons.
“This is a prime example of how major events can deliver benefits – and we are confident many of those first-time visitors who came to this hugely popular event will return in the future.
“It was also fantastic to see local businesses contributing directly. Both the Urdd Crown and Chair were created locally using steel from Tata. The Crown was crafted by Nicola Palterman and Laura Thomas of Jewel and Grace in Neath, while the Chair was designed and created by Angharad Pearce Jones from the Brynaman area.
“So the Urdd has truly put a positive spotlight on Neath Port Talbot and reminded us—and shown the rest of Wales—that this is a proud, vibrant, and resilient place.
“Let us build on the momentum the Urdd Eisteddfod has given us.”
#CllrStephenHunt #Margam #MargamCountryPark #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #Urdd #WelshLanguage
Druid 🏴Awww. 🥹❤️
Young #Urdd winner melts hearts with tearful message to mam - BBC News
TomShwmae! Dechrau fy Dydd Gwener yn #Eisteddfod yr #Urdd.
Starting my Friday at Eisteddfod yr Urdd
RichYmlacio ar ôl diwrnod gwlyb iawn yn #Eisteddfod Yr #Urdd.
Da iawn i'r trefnwyr a'r cystadleuwyr - cyfle ardderchog i bobl ifainc.
Francis Mangion (M)
David ClubbRecord-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.
Maes Eisteddfod yr Urdd SiteLlio 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.
Dathlu, Celebrating, Eisteddfod yr UrddThe 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.