Eisteddfod: Port Talbot steel used to make Urdd crown and chair
Steel from Port Talbot steelworks were used in the designs of the two prizes for the Urdd Eisteddfod. The chair and crown, deemed two of the prestigious prizes of the festival, paid tribute to the local industrial heritage of this year's Urdd. Traditional steelmaking ended in south Wales in September 2024, after Tata Steel removed the last usable liquid iron, and has has submitted plans for a proposed electric arc furnace at the steelworks.Two women from the area were behind the creations, which will be awarded to the winners over the week of the festival.
Eisteddfod yr Urdd takes place at Margam Park, Port Talbot at the end of the month.
Angharad Pearce, from Brynaman designed the chair and said it was a "dream come true".She has worked with steel for over 30 years."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."The chair features a combination of Welsh steel and flat steel produced in Port Talbot.Ms Pearce 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 they parts can be seen on the chair."I'm lucky that I had the last piece of Welsh iron ore from Tata's works for the chair," the award winning artist said."I was determined to create a chair that felt light and 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."
The crown was created by Nicola Palterman, from Neath.Ms Palterman has worked in the jewellery industry for over 30 years and has recently set up a business in the area.She said when discussing the design with the local committee it was 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."The design also recognises the importance of the steel industry, which has been the lifeblood of people over the years," she said.
Ms Palterman also used material from the steelworks to make the crown."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 Eisteddfod yr Urdd crown contains diamonds."The chairing ceremony will be held on the Thursday of the Eisteddfod, with the crowning ceremony taking place on the Friday.
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