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Ammanford poet Tudur Hallam wins National Eisteddfod Chair

Ammanford poet Tudur Hallam wins National Eisteddfod Chair

Tudur Hallam, from Ammanford, was awarded the Chair at this year's National Eisteddfod in Wrexham for a series of deeply personal poems.
Mr Hallam, who attended Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman, previously won the Chair in 2010 at the Blaenau Gwent and Valleys National Eisteddfod.
He said: "It was a very emotional occasion, especially when the audience stood for the second time.
"But after greeting my family, I relaxed a little and enjoyed the ceremony.
"The Eisteddfod and the Gorsedd did everything they could to make things easier."
Mr Hallam was diagnosed with cancer during Eisteddfod week last year and said he was unable to write in Welsh for several months.
He said: "I feel happy, proud that I competed because I wasn't sure whether I should submit the awdl or not.
"I've been quite conflicted about it because the content of the awdl is so emotional, but today feels like a celebration.
"Winning the Chair or the Crown is an achievement, and hearing that it was a strong competition makes me feel incredibly lucky to have won, to be honest."
He credited the support of his family and doctors with helping him return to writing.
He said: "I believe writing can be a great help to people, and personally I wanted to write immediately after the diagnosis, but I couldn't.
"I think I was in a state of shock, and then in January, after receiving bad news that the treatment meant to buy me time hadn't worked, suddenly the words started to flow from me.
"Now I'm glad I've created something positive out of a very difficult situation."
Fifteen poets competed for the Chair this year, the highest number since 1989.
Judges described the standard as 'exceptionally strong.'
The Eisteddfod said Mr Hallam wished to thank his family and friends for their support, especially over the past year.
Mr Hallam lives in Foelgastell, Carmarthenshire, with his wife Nia and their children Garan, Bedo, and Edwy.
He is an emeritus professor at Swansea University.
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Ammanford poet Tudur Hallam wins National Eisteddfod Chair
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Ammanford poet Tudur Hallam wins National Eisteddfod Chair

Tudur Hallam, from Ammanford, was awarded the Chair at this year's National Eisteddfod in Wrexham for a series of deeply personal poems. Mr Hallam, who attended Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman, previously won the Chair in 2010 at the Blaenau Gwent and Valleys National Eisteddfod. He said: "It was a very emotional occasion, especially when the audience stood for the second time. "But after greeting my family, I relaxed a little and enjoyed the ceremony. "The Eisteddfod and the Gorsedd did everything they could to make things easier." Mr Hallam was diagnosed with cancer during Eisteddfod week last year and said he was unable to write in Welsh for several months. He said: "I feel happy, proud that I competed because I wasn't sure whether I should submit the awdl or not. "I've been quite conflicted about it because the content of the awdl is so emotional, but today feels like a celebration. "Winning the Chair or the Crown is an achievement, and hearing that it was a strong competition makes me feel incredibly lucky to have won, to be honest." He credited the support of his family and doctors with helping him return to writing. He said: "I believe writing can be a great help to people, and personally I wanted to write immediately after the diagnosis, but I couldn't. "I think I was in a state of shock, and then in January, after receiving bad news that the treatment meant to buy me time hadn't worked, suddenly the words started to flow from me. "Now I'm glad I've created something positive out of a very difficult situation." Fifteen poets competed for the Chair this year, the highest number since 1989. Judges described the standard as 'exceptionally strong.' The Eisteddfod said Mr Hallam wished to thank his family and friends for their support, especially over the past year. Mr Hallam lives in Foelgastell, Carmarthenshire, with his wife Nia and their children Garan, Bedo, and Edwy. He is an emeritus professor at Swansea University.

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