Latest news with #NationalEisteddfod
Leader Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Wrexham care home residents make decorations for Eisteddfod
With just days to go before the National Eisteddfod arrives in the city, art club members from Pendine Park's Bryn Bella home have created colourful giant heart decorations and 50 metres of bunting. Their handmade work will help decorate the entrance to the Maes at Is-y-coed, where the festival will take place from August 2 to 9. Mario Kreft MBE, owner of Pendine Park, said: "Wrexham is rightly proud to be the host of this year's National Eisteddfod and we are equally proud to be supporting the event. "It is one of the biggest cultural festivals in the world and all eyes will definitely be on Wrexham in August. "It's fantastic to think that the decorations made by our brilliant amateur artists at Bryn Bella will be adding even more joy to the occasion. "Well done to them all." Tony Ithell putting finishing touches on the giant heart centrepiece with Artist in Residence Sarah Edwards (Image: Rick Matthews) Pendine Park is marking its 40th anniversary this year and is sponsoring one of the main choir competitions at the Eisteddfod. The decorations are part of the care organisation's wider support for the event. Great work from Lynn Kelly (Image: Rick Matthews) Sarah Edwards, Pendine Park's consultant artist in residence, led the workshops where residents crafted the bunting and decorations featuring heart motifs and the word Croeso. She said: "Our residents have themselves made about 20 metres of bunting and we've also had some fabric bunting made by our soft furnishing team. "I designed the main pattern and our art club enthusiasts have added their own individual touches to them." Artist in residence Sarah Edwards having a laugh with resident Wendy Powell during the session (Image: Rick Matthews) Resident Tony Ithell contributed two large heart decorations. Mr Ithell said: "I started by painting the white background first then overlaying the colours onto it. "It's taken me about four days in all, but it's been worth it." Mark Cartwright puts the finishing touches to a dragon (Rick Matthews)Each heart is around three feet tall and will be displayed at the entrance to the festival. Ms Edwards praised the effort and creativity shown by residents and activity coordinators. She said: "They have worked really hard on this, as we all determined to give the National Eisteddfod visitors a really big welcome to our home turf." The bunting includes simple designs with green-outlined hearts and red centres on a white background. Carole Ball, a resident and keen artist, said: "It's a simple design but it's surprisingly effective." Gareth Bellis pleased with his bunting creations. (Image: Rick Matthews) She also contributed a traditional Welsh dragon design. Ms Ball said: "We've naturally been using a lot of red, green and white in our paintings as those are the national colours of Wales. "It's always good to know that our artwork will go on show and be seen by the wider public." READ MORE: Lesley Griffiths MS for Wrexham looks ahead to the National Eisteddfod Other residents, including George Ullman and Wendy Powell, also took part in the project. Ms Powell decorated the word Croeso with music-themed motifs using coloured pencils. This year's honorary Eisteddfod president is Mark Lewis Jones, the acclaimed actor from Rhosllannerchrugog. The event's first schedule of competitions and activities is now available on the Eisteddfod's website, with more details to be released.
North Wales Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
National Eisteddfod 2025: Everything to expect and how to get there
The National Eisteddfod, one of Europe's biggest cultural festivals, will be staged in Wrexham, Wales' newest city, this year. In recent weeks Eisteddfod staff and contractors have transformed farmland at Is-y-Coed on the eastern outskirts of Wrexham, into a small town with a 1,500 seat pavilion, a range of performance spaces and stalls as well as a temporary Gorsedd circle. The Eisteddfod marks the culmination of more than two years of organizing and fundraising by local people. Llinos Roberts, Chairman of the Executive Committee, said realising a festival as big as the Eisteddfod is not easy and she paid tribute to the staff for their vision and perseverance. "I would like to thank everyone in Wrexham from the bottom of my heart for their tireless work over the past year creating a new buzz and raising awareness of our language and culture throughout the county," she said. She emphasized that the National Eisteddfod is a Festival for everyone. "It's been nice to see confident speakers, new speakers and non-Welsh speakers as an integral part of our local committees. Thank you all for their time, energy and creativity in organising and contributing to such a great variety of fundraising events and their input in creating a comprehensive programme throughout the week. "Our new city, which is famous all over the world thanks to the success of the football team, is the heart of it all. But what is most special about the area is its people with their deep pride in their heritage, their resilient determination, and their unwavering passion for the Welsh language in an area that is so close to the border," added Mrs Roberts. This year's Eisteddfod will be the ninth visit to the Wrexham area having made its first visit in 1876. That year became known as the first time in modern Eisteddfod history with a "Black Chair". The winning poet, Thomas Jones, (Taliesin from Eifion), had died hours after posting his poem to the adjudicators. It is said that his last words were "Is the ode delivered safely?" There were detailed reports of the Eisteddfod in period newspapers of the ceremony. Under the heading 'The Chair without the Bard' one report noted: "The Chair was there, but the Chaired Poet was in THE GRAVE! "Out of seven competitors, his ode was declared the best. A funeral robe was spread over the Chair, and the Gorsedd walked around it." The 1912 Eisteddfod witnessed a rare double winner when Thomas Parry-Williams scooped the Crown and the Chair at the festival. The poet turned up for the ceremony unaware he was the winner and sat at the rear of the massive pavilion and could barely hear his nom de plume being called. The chairing ceremony was preceeded by a speech from David Lloyd-George. This was interupted by a group of Suffragettes calling for women to be allowed to vote in elections. Reports note they were forcibly ejected. In 1933 the Eisteddfod was again staged in Wrexham and notably featured a chair for the winning poet crafted in China. The 1945 National Eisteddfod was staged at Rhosllannerchrugog and competition was halted by the dramatic news that the war in Japan had ended. This year a minute's silence will be called on the 80th anniversary of the detonation of an atomic bomb above the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The Eisteddfod was last held in Wrexham in 2011. Ashok Ahir, President of the Court and Chairman of the Eisteddfod's Management Board, said that he was looking forward to the Eisteddfod. "As a travelling festival the challenges change from year to year but the purpose of our work remains the same - to promote, preserve and protect the heritage and culture of Wales and the Welsh language," he said. The National Eisteddfod starts on Saturday, August 2 and continues until Saturday, August 9. For more details online, visit With around 150,000 visitors every year, the event has numerous ways to get to it and enjoy. Maes B, the caravan and family camping ground, Hwyrnos and the Maes B tent site, together with the car parks are all close to the Eisteddfod Maes. Eisteddfod officials have made special travel arrangements with Wrexham Council, North Wales Police, Transport for Wales and other agencies. By car Travelling to the Maes by car? Follow the yellow 'Eisteddfod' signs to get to the Maes. The signs are there to help drivers, and Eisteddfod officials have worked on the traffic management plan with the local council and emergency services, to create a plan to get to the Maes as easily and safely as possible. Signs will encourage everyone to approach the Maes from junction 6 (Gresford) on the A483. Traffic from the A55 will follow the signs from the traffic lights at the junction of the A483 and the B5445 (Belgrave), and will be directed south to junction 6 (Gresford) on the A483. Traffic from the direction of Mold on the A541 (junction 5, A483), Ruthin area on the A525 (junction 4, A483), Rhosllannerchrugog area on the B5605 (junction 3, A483), Johnstown on the B5426, Bangor Road (junction 2, A483) and Llangollen /Dee Valley area on the A5 (junction 1, A483) will be directed northbound to junction 6 (Gresford) on the A483. Traffic from the Oswestry area on the A5 (including south Wales traffic) will leave the A483 at junction 6 (Gresford). Traffic from the A525 Bangor-on-Dee area will pick up signage on the approach to the south side of the industrial estate at Cross Lanes traffic lights. Traffic will be advised to turn right here on to the B5130 towards Holt, passing through Talwrn and Bowling Bank before turning left on to Ridley Wood Road. Parking Follow the signs to the car parks and don't park on the side of the road. Stewards will direct vehicles in the car park. Parking is free. *Disabled visitors with a blue badge should follow the signs to the disabled car park* Drop off points There's a dedicated area for buses and taxis to pick up and drop off passengers close to the entrance. There will be clear signs to guide drivers to these points. Trains Wrexham General is one of the main railway stations between north and south Wales, and it also links to the north Wales Main Line via the Wrexham Central to Bidston service. Trains will run regularly throughout the day and late into the evening. Transport for Wales (TfW) and Avanti West Coast are running extra services during the week of the Eisteddfod. This will include eight extra services on Saturday and Sunday and twelve extra services from Monday to Friday. More details online at You can also use the Traveline Cymru website - to plan your journey. Dogs are allowed on the trains. Buses Wrexham has a wide network of public buses running throughout the day and evening. More information on local bus services are available online at TrawsCymru service T3 will also serve the Maes every two hours from Wrexham Bus Station. The T3 service opens up direct access to the Maes from Barmouth, Dolgellau, Bala, Corwen and Llangollen. Shuttle buses between the Maes and the city A free shuttle bus service will run frequently between the railway station, the bus station in the city centre and the Maes from 8am until midnight. These buses are low-level vehicles, suitable for wheelchairs. You can bring your dog on the shuttle buses.
Leader Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Eilyr Thomas set to be honoured at Wrexham Eisteddfod
Eilyr Thomas, of Llandissilio in Pembrokeshire, will be awarded the Sir TH Parry-Williams Memorial Medal at the 2025 National Eisteddfod, taking place in Wrexham. The award recognises individuals who have made a significant contribution to their community, especially in work with young people. Ms Thomas said: "When I found out, I was completely speechless – I couldn't find any words at all. "I'm not someone who wins competitions or anything like that, but this – I just couldn't believe it. "Of course, it's an honour, and I'm very proud to accept it, although I'm also very nervous." She spent most of her career as a teacher and headteacher in Pembrokeshire's Maenclochog and Mynachlog-ddu areas. Ms Thomas has also been a prominent figure in music, singing, and recitation from an early age. A successful competitor at local and national eisteddfodau, she won the Blue Riband at the National Eisteddfod in the 1970s. Her influence has shaped the lives of many young performers, including Canwr y Byd competitor Jessica Robinson, as well as Trystan Llŷr Griffiths, Sioned Llewelyn, Esyllt Thomas, and Ffion Thomas. In addition to individual coaching, Ms Thomas has conducted choirs and vocal ensembles, helping to create amazing experiences and a lifelong love of music in countless young people. READ MORE: Gronant residents claim council has not collected bins for 10 weeks She said: "The family was musical, and I suppose I showed some desire to sing, even though I was incredibly shy. "Every time someone came to the house and asked me to sing, I'd hide behind the curtains – I could never face them." Ms Thomas will receive the Sir TH Parry-Williams Memorial Medal on the Pavilion stage at 12.30pm on Tuesday, August 5. The National Eisteddfod will take place in Is-y-Coed, Wrexham, from August 2 to 9. More information is available at
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Wrexham MS looks ahead to the National Eisteddfod
MS for Wrexham Excitement is building as a major national cultural event gets underway in Wrexham at the end of this week. Taking place from 2 – 9 August, the National Eisteddfod is returning to Wrexham for the first time since 2011. The Eisteddfod dates back to 1861 and is a celebration of Welsh language and culture through music, performance and other competitions. As well as celebrating history, the festival has modernised and developed extensively in recent years. Up to 170,000 visitors are expected to visit and it is considered to be the largest cultural event in Europe. Over the 8 days, the festival site, or 'Maes', is a centre for hundreds of cultural, recreational and commercial events from all round Wales. There is also evening entertainment from Saturday to Monday night in the Pavilion. As you will expect, all activities and events are delivered through the medium of Welsh but regardless of whether you speak Welsh or not, you are more than welcome on the Maes. There is also a translation centre on site. The Maes will be located in Isycoed, a village five miles away from the city centre. In recent months, I have been communicating with Transport for Wales and I am aware it has been engaging with Wrexham Council and festival organisers to ensure attendees have public transport options for getting to and from Y Maes. Existing train services will be strengthened and there will also be additional rail services throughout the week. A shuttle bus will be in operation between 8am and midnight which will call at Wrexham General station, Wrexham Bus station on King Street and the Maes. Safe routes are also being identified to encourage cycling and walking, and there will be 400 bike parking spaces on site. Ensuring people can rely on public transport to attend the Eisteddfod is crucial and I am grateful to Transport for Wales as these initiatives will not just help attendees travelling from Wrexham, but also those coming from further afield. It promises to be a special occasion and I am looking forward to spending a few days at the Maes. All the information about the Eisteddfod can be found on the website but, as always, if you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: or call 01978 355743.
ITV News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Find out how this multicultural festival has strengthened its links with the National Eisteddfod
The music and dance festival in Wrexham promotes multiculturalism and has had a dance commissioned for it by the National Eisteddfod.
