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Business News Wales
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025 Chair and Crown Unveiled
The Chair and Crown for Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr 2025 were unveiled during a special evening at The Towers, Swansea. Angharad Pearce Jones from the Brynaman area has designed and created the Chair, sponsored by Soar-Maesyrhaf Chapel. Nicola Palterman from Neath has created the Crown, sponsored by primary schools in the West Glamorgan Region. Some of the final pieces of steel from Tata Steel's works were used in the designs of the two prizes, paying tribute to the local industrial heritage of this year's Eisteddfod yr Urdd, which will be held at Margam Park, Port Talbot. '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,' says Angharad Pearce Jones, the award-winning artist who is originally from Y Bala, but who has lived in the Brynaman area for 20 years. The chair is inspired by the local steel works and industry, and a combination of the Welsh steel and flat steel produced in Port Talbot was used to create it. Angharad 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 these parts can be seen on the finished chair. 'I'm lucky that I had the last piece of Welsh iron ore from Tata's works for the chair, and I was determined to create a chair that felt 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.' Angharad won the gold medal for fine art at the 2024 National Eisteddfod at Rhondda Cynon Taf, and she's currently designing a permanent sculpture for the site of the Ruthin Craft Centre. The chair is sponsored by the Soar-Maesyrhaf Chapel, Neath. Angharad visited this Welsh chapel while researching the history and the building for further inspiration: 'Remarkably, the woodwork and the red and cream colours of the steelworks' pipes were similar to the chapel's colours. There was a strong sense of correlation between the two sites. Many of the Welsh-speaking people who used to attend the chapel were also employed in the steelworks, and the chapel will be reflected in the design as well. 'I had a lot of fun and success competing on the Urdd stage with school choirs in Y Bala. Our school won the choir competition five years in a row. We were famous and we released a CD. I've competed in gymnastics, on the piano and as a soloist, and my daughter has just competed in the Urdd's rugby 7s competition. We owe a great debt to the Urdd.' This year's crown is sponsored by the primary schools of the West Glamorgan Region. They were looking for someone local to create the crown and Nicola Palterman jumped at the opportunity when asked. 'I've had several interesting design commissions over the years, from wedding rings to prizes such as the Prince William Cup, but this is the first crown,' explains the luxury jewellery designer. 'My business partner, Laura Thomas, has designed a crown for the National Eisteddfod in the past, and now I've had the opportunity to design a crown for Eisteddfod yr Urdd.' Born and bred in Neath, Nicola went on to study at the Birmingham School of Jewellery before being offered a job as a luxury jewellery designer at Aur Cymru, Dolgellau. She set up her own jewellery shop in Dolgellau 30 years ago, before deciding to establish a business back in her hometown. After sharing a studio and workshop with local jeweller Laura Thomas, the pair decided to merge their businesses and create 'Jewel and Grace' eighteen months ago. In discussions with the sponsors and the local committee, everyone 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, while the birds are a strong symbol in this year's Welcome Song and offer much hope for the future. But the design also recognises the importance of the steel industry, which has been the lifeblood of people over the years. '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 the Eisteddfod yr Urdd crown contains diamonds.' The Chairing ceremony will be held on the Thursday of the Eisteddfod, sponsored by the Ivor and Aeres Evans Trust. The Crowning ceremony will take place on the Friday of the festival, sponsored by Cardiff University. The Urdd also thanks the following for sponsoring the festival's other main Medals and ceremonies: Monday: The Art, Design and Technology Medal and the Young Artist Scholarship's ceremony is sponsored by Cronfa Elw William Park Jones. Tuesday: The Drama Medal is sponsored by Cymdeithas Ddrama Gymraeg Abertawe. Wednesday: The Welsh Learners Medal is sponsored by Learn Welsh Swansea Bay Region and the Bobi Jones Medal by Tŷ'r Gwrhyd, with the ceremony sponsored by the National Centre for Learning Welsh. Saturday: The Chief Composer Medal is sponsored by local choirs, namely Parti Llwchwr, Morriston RFC Male Voice Choir, Dunvant Male Voice Choir, Swansea Philharmonic Choir, Ospreys Choir, Côr Nedd.
Wales Online
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
12 stunning pictures from Wales football star Rubin Colwill's spectacular three-day wedding
Cardiff City and Wales football star Rubin Colwill has tied the knot with his girlfriend, Angharad Colwill, in a stunning wedding. The wedding was held at the gorgeous St Tewdrics House in Chepstow and took place over three days. Rubin, who is 23, plays for Cardiff having joined their academy when he was eight. He made his professional debut with the club as a late substitute during a 3–1 EFL Championship win over Coventry City in February 2021. In May 2021 despite having never made an appearance for the senior Wales team, he was selected by Rob Page for Wales' Euro 2020 squad. He made his senior national team debut in June 2021 in a friendly against France, replacing Joe Morrell in the 83rd minute. Rubin scored his first international goal for Wales in March 2022 in a friendly against the Czech Republic which ended in a 1-1 draw. In November 2022, he was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He came on as a substitute for the injured Joe Allen in the 81st minute of the third group game against England. He proposed to his girlfriend Angharad, who he has been in a long-term relationship with, in May 2024 while they holidayed in Bora Bora. The couple have now tied the knot in a stunning wedding at the Grade II listed Italianate villa in Chepstow, St Tewdrics House. The event began on Thursday, May 8, with a rehearsal dinner, the wedding took place on Friday, May 9, and an intimate indoor BBQ with selected guests was held on Saturday, May 10. Both bride and groom looked amazing with Angharad opting for a sleek off-the-shoulder dress and long veil, while Rubin sported a smart and sharp black suit, waistcoat and bow tie. Angharad wore her hair down and later changed outfit into a fun evening dress, also off the shoulder and her hair in a bun, while Rubin remained in his suit. Here are some of the best pictures from the dreamy day.
Business News Wales
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Cynon Taf Community Housing Group Bolsters Executive Team with Three Key Appointments
Cynon Taf Community Housing Group (CTCHG), a housing association based in Rhondda Cynon Taf which looks after more than 2,000 homes, has appointed three new Directors. The appointments come as the Group moves forward with delivering its new strategic plan for 2025 – 2029 with a mission to provide quality homes for current and future generations and be an inspiring, trusted community partner and employer. Angharad Rogers, currently Head of Housing at CTCHG, will move into the role of Director of Housing and Communities, with responsibility for subsidiary Down to Zero in her portfolio. Angharad has worked at CTCHG for almost 20 years and will use her insights and knowledge of the Group's tenants and communities to maximise its impact locally. Emma Brute will take up the new role of Director of Organisational Development and Business Improvement. A housing professional by background, Emma is currently Head of Information and Business Transformation at United Welsh. She brings expertise in leading customer-focussed transformation resulting in increased customer satisfaction, streamlined operations and enhanced compliance. Emma also brings governance experience as a Board member of Cyfannol Women's Aid and, previously, of Monmouthshire Housing Association. Owain Roberts, recently Director of Property and Place at Newport City Homes, will take up the new role of Director of Assets, Decarbonisation and Growth. He will be responsible for the Assets and Development teams and will take on the technical oversight of the Group's decarbonisation work and Welsh Housing Quality Standard. Owain brings significant industry experience in property maintenance, development, repairs, building safety, asset management and decarbonisation and in driving service improvements. He also has previous governance experience as a member of the Board of Blaenau Gwent Care & Repair. All three Directors will join Group Director of Finance, Alison Williams to form the Group's Executive Team, reporting directly to Auriol Miller, Group CEO. Auriol Miller, CTCHG CEO, said: 'Following a rigorous recruitment process, I am really pleased to be welcoming Angharad, Emma and Owain to the Executive Team at Cynon Taf Community Housing Group. 'Each brings with them significant experience in their respective fields, and I am looking forward to working with them to deliver against year one of our new strategic plan and shared vision for healthy valleys communities where everyone feels connected, supported and hopeful about the future.'
