Latest news with #UrddEisteddfod
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Eisteddfod yr Urdd is ‘huge opportunity' for Newport
Tredegar House will welcome thousands of people to the Welsh-language youth cultural festival for its 2027 edition. Newport City Council cabinet members agreed on Monday to provide an extra £100,000 of funding to support the event. The money, from the council's events reserve fund, will be ring-fenced for hire and venue charges, licensing matters, and any park and ride services. Cllr Emma Stowell-Corten, the cabinet member for culture, said the Urdd has 'a huge economic value to the areas that host it' worth millions of pounds. She said more than 15,000 children and young people participate in the festival, which will also attract thousands more visitors. Cllr Rhian Howells, whose ward includes Tredegar House, said she was 'absolutely thrilled' Newport would host the Urdd. 'Having seen the level of income it generates for the city… I would be very supportive of the extra funding,' she added. Other cabinet members also welcomed the possibilities the festival could bring to the city. Plaid Cymru pledges to free access to Urdd Eisteddfod for low-income families Newport is a 'city on the rise' with a bright future - and this is why Cllr Jason Hughes, reflecting on his own appearance on the Urdd stage as a youngster, said the experience could be 'life-changing' for young participants. The Urdd will be a 'huge opportunity', said Cllr Deb Davies – while Cllr James Clarke said the prospect of welcoming an estimated 60,000 visitors will be a 'massive boost' for Newport. 'What better way to say we are a proud Welsh city,' added Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, the city council leader. Preparing for the event will be no small feat, however, with around 90 acres of land required for the festival ground, car parking and campsites. Schools could be used as rehearsal spaces, while teachers and other support staff will likely need to be available to support children with their preparations. The 2027 Urdd will reportedly be the largest Welsh-language event in the city in two decades. The council describes the prospect as a 'huge event and opportunity for Newport' which will also align with Welsh Government ambitions to reach a target of one million Welsh speakers nationwide by the year 2050.
Western Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Soprano Ffion Thomas performs at Milford Haven Music Festival
Ffion Thomas, from Crymych, performed a recital at St Katharine's Church as part of the festival, which is now in its 35th year. Accompanied by pianist Caradog Williams, Ms Thomas impressed the audience with her vocal prowess. The rising star recently won the under-25 soprano competition at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Margam and also landed the Bryn Terfel Award . The festival, which supports Ffion financially at the Royal Academy of Music in London, expressed their delight at her achievements, recognising her potential for a promising career.
South Wales Argus
06-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Senedd members hail Newport as ‘a city on the rise'
John Griffiths began a debate on the city by quoting business journalist Douglas Friedli, who wrote: 'Best thing about London? It's less than two hours from Newport.' Mr Griffiths agreed with the journalist's assessment, describing Newport as a place with a significant past, a strong present and a promising future. Newport has been dubbed a 'city on the rise' (Image: NQ) The Senedd member, who was born in Pill after his mother moved from Ireland, said the city has long welcomed people from all over the world who want to make Newport their home. With many moving from across the border from Bristol in recent years, he told the Senedd the city's population has increased by nearly 10% to 160,000 over the past decade. 'There really is a sense of the city growing in confidence and being on the rise,' he said. Mr Griffiths, who will stand down next May having represented Newport East since 1999, said the city is quickly becoming central to the world in terms of the semiconductor industry. He welcomed the opening of KLA's new £100m research and development centre in the west of Newport in May, creating around 750 jobs. KLA opened a new research and development centre in Newport in May (Image: KLA) The former barrister pointed to 14 semiconductor businesses in a 30-mile radius, saying: 'All of that powering the everyday technology that we all use and rely upon.' And, highlighting the city's Roman and Chartist history as well as the iconic transporter bridge, Mr Griffiths described Newport's cultural offer as equally impressive. 'In fact, between 2015 and 2022, Newport saw the fastest growth in the creative sector of any city in Wales – at an astonishing 125%,' he said. Mr Griffiths, a proud grandfather who ran Saturday's riverfront parkrun with his 11-year-old grandson, also emphasised Newport's notable sporting history and present. Newport celebrated 20 years of parkrun in the city in October 2024 (Image: NQ) Recognising challenges around transport and congestion, he urged ministers to back the Burns commission blueprint and proposals for four new railway stations in Newport. Natasha Asghar, the Newport-born Conservative who represents South Wales East, described the city as a wonderful place to grow up. 'I love the fact that Newport is a diverse place,' she said. 'There are so many different people from so many different communities who all get on coherently, cohesively with each other and they're the ones who truly bring the place to life.' Proclaiming Newport's location as 'unbeatable', Ms Asghar called for better transport links. She also criticised the UK Government's 'short-sighted' decision to cut the shared prosperity fund, saying this has resulted in significant job losses across the city. Plaid Cymru's Peredur Owen Griffiths, who also represents South Wales East, highlighted that the Urdd Eisteddfod will be coming to Newport in 2027. Newport is set to host the Urdd Eisteddfod in 2027 (Image: Eisteddfod) Responding to the debate on June 4, Jayne Bryant pointed to Welsh Government funding for leisure centres, refurbishment of Market Arcade and the former railway station building. Arcadia is one of the businesses at the Arcade (Image: NQ) She said Newport's economic evolution is being shaped by semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and energy, positioning the city as a 'hi-tech leader with global influence'. Ms Bryant, who is responsible for councils and housing in Wales, hailed Vishay's acquisition of Newport Wafer Fab in 2024 which was accompanied by a £300m investment. The Newport West Senedd member said: 'Through the strategic investment in renewal, culture and community, and engagement with the local authority, businesses and community groups will all help to shape a vibrant, modern city ready to seize future opportunities.'
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In pictures: Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 in rain and shine
Despite it being the hottest start to May in Wales this year, the sunshine didn't quite hold out for this week's Urdd Eisteddfod. While some photos may be deceiving, Europe's largest youth festival, held this year in Margam Park in Neath Port Talbot, was largely damp - but performers didn't let the weather rain on their parade. Wednesday was the brightest day, with families across Wales flocking to the Maes to spectate, eat and enjoy. From political faces including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Mark Drakeford to former rugby star Alun Wyn Jones, everyone turned up to show their passion for the Welsh language. Young Urdd winner melts hearts with message to mam American's Eisteddfod trip to trace his heritage Teacher inspires Welsh learning in school with 23 languages
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In pictures: Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 in rain and shine
Despite it being the hottest start to May in Wales this year, the sunshine didn't quite hold out for this week's Urdd Eisteddfod. While some photos may be deceiving, Europe's largest youth festival, held this year in Margam Park in Neath Port Talbot, was largely damp - but performers didn't let the weather rain on their parade. Wednesday was the brightest day, with families across Wales flocking to the Maes to spectate, eat and enjoy. From political faces including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Mark Drakeford to former rugby star Alun Wyn Jones, everyone turned up to show their passion for the Welsh language. Young Urdd winner melts hearts with message to mam American's Eisteddfod trip to trace his heritage Teacher inspires Welsh learning in school with 23 languages
