Latest news with #DramaMedal
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Urdd 2025: Main Bard announced
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Elain Roberts has been revealed as Main Bard at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro 2025, in a special ceremony from the stage at the White Pavilion in Margam. Elain is the first to have won the Drama Medal (in 2023) and the Chair at the Urdd Eisteddfod. And for the first time in the history of the competition, the chair has been won by women for three consecutive years. A former pupil at Ysgol Bro Teifi, Elain studied French and Politics at the University in Bristol and after graduating, she moved back home to work. In February this year, Elain moved to London to start a new job with Plaid Cymru in Westminster. Elain won the Drama Medal at the 2023 Urdd Eisteddfod, and she came third in the Crown competition in 2022. She only recently became interested in poetry after attending classes at the Vale pub in Felin-fach last year. The competitors were tasked with composing a poem or poems on strict metre or vers libre, of no more than 100 lines on the theme: 'Sand'. Elain's poem is located on Traeth Gwyn (Llanina, Ceinewydd), a location that played a key part in her upbringing and where she still visits today to find tranquillity. The judges, Tudur Hallam and Grug Muse stated that Elain is more than worthy of this year's Eisteddfod Chair for 'a poem that grips the reader from the beginning and keeps a hold until the very end.' 'We are in safe hands with this poet. The story is familiar, the story of a young Welsh speaker leaving the countryside for city life, the beach is a medium to explore the feelings and experiences associated with this. The poet succeeds in expressing mixed emotions, sharing with us the experience of settling and being happy in an English city.' Tesni Peers from Wrexham came second and Celt John from Aberystwyth was third. Their work will be published on the Urdd website later today. The winning work along with the adjudication will be available to read in Cyhoeddiadau'r Stamp publications after the ceremony. The ceremony was sponsored by the Ivor and Aeres Evans Charitable Trust. Elain receives a beautiful chair created by Angharad Pearce Jones from the Brynaman area, sponsored by Soar-Maesyrhaf Chapel. Speaking of the experience of creating the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro, Angharad said: 'Creating this year's chair has been a wonderful privilege and a dream come true. 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.' The top three will be invited to take part in a course at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre, Literature Wales, in memory of Olwen Dafydd. This is made possible through the Olwen Griffith Trust. It is 30 years since, Tudur Hallam, one of the judges, won the Literature Medal at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Bro'r Preseli 1995 for a collection of poems, Blith Draphlith (topsy-turvy). Results for all competitions can be found on The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here's how to sign up Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Urdd 2025: Main Bard announced
Elain Roberts has been revealed as Main Bard at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro 2025, in a special ceremony from the stage at the White Pavilion in Margam. Elain is the first to have won the Drama Medal (in 2023) and the Chair at the Urdd Eisteddfod. And for the first time in the history of the competition, the chair has been won by women for three consecutive years. A former pupil at Ysgol Bro Teifi, Elain studied French and Politics at the University in Bristol and after graduating, she moved back home to work. In February this year, Elain moved to London to start a new job with Plaid Cymru in Westminster. Elain won the Drama Medal at the 2023 Urdd Eisteddfod, and she came third in the Crown competition in 2022. She only recently became interested in poetry after attending classes at the Vale pub in Felin-fach last year. The competitors were tasked with composing a poem or poems on strict metre or vers libre, of no more than 100 lines on the theme: 'Sand'. Elain's poem is located on Traeth Gwyn (Llanina, Ceinewydd), a location that played a key part in her upbringing and where she still visits today to find tranquillity. The judges, Tudur Hallam and Grug Muse stated that Elain is more than worthy of this year's Eisteddfod Chair for 'a poem that grips the reader from the beginning and keeps a hold until the very end.' 'We are in safe hands with this poet. The story is familiar, the story of a young Welsh speaker leaving the countryside for city life, the beach is a medium to explore the feelings and experiences associated with this. The poet succeeds in expressing mixed emotions, sharing with us the experience of settling and being happy in an English city.' Tesni Peers from Wrexham came second and Celt John from Aberystwyth was third. Their work will be published on the Urdd website later today. The winning work along with the adjudication will be available to read in Cyhoeddiadau'r Stamp publications after the ceremony. The ceremony was sponsored by the Ivor and Aeres Evans Charitable Trust. Elain receives a beautiful chair created by Angharad Pearce Jones from the Brynaman area, sponsored by Soar-Maesyrhaf Chapel. Speaking of the experience of creating the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro, Angharad said: 'Creating this year's chair has been a wonderful privilege and a dream come true. 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.' The top three will be invited to take part in a course at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre, Literature Wales, in memory of Olwen Dafydd. This is made possible through the Olwen Griffith Trust. It is 30 years since, Tudur Hallam, one of the judges, won the Literature Medal at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Bro'r Preseli 1995 for a collection of poems, Blith Draphlith (topsy-turvy).
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Urdd Eisteddfod 2025: Second day winner announced
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The winner of Drama Medal at the 2025 Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro, was announced yesterday (Tuesday May 27.) And the prize was won by Elin Undeg Williams from Betws Gwerfil Goch, Denbighshire It is exactly fifty years since the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Drama Medal was introduced as one of the main ceremonies - at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Llanelli in 1975. This year the competitors were required to write a play or monologue suitable for performance for any medium for no more than two actors, and no longer than 15 minutes. According to the judges, Heiddwen Tomos and Sêra Moore Williams, 14 plays were received in a 'very high standard' competition, with both judges 'very pleased with the promise and confidence show in all the plays.' Elin is 18 years old and studying Welsh, History and Religious Education at Ysgol Brynhyfryd. She plans on studying Law and Professional Welsh at Aberystwyth University in September. She is a keen member of Uwchaled Young Farmers Club and is looking forward to competing as a member of Aelwyd Llangwm at the Eisteddfod the end of the week. Elin would like to thank her teachers in the Welsh Language Department at Ysgol Brynhyfryd for being so supportive and thank her family for everything. The judges said: 'This is a timely play with clever dialogue around a difficult situation. From the first reading we both loved the play. There are special moments that really touch the heart. The writing is special and captivates the reader. "There is a real depth and understanding of characters that could easily be identified with. The message is gripping and the tenderness between the two characters sustains the play.' Second in the competition was Ffred Hayes from Cardiff, and Mali Grigg from Bangor in third place. Both are members of the latest Cwmni Theatr yr Urdd (Urdd's Youth Theatre Company) production Ceridwen . Elin will be given the opportunity to spend some time with Theatr Cymru and receive further training with the BBC. Elin received a special medal created by jeweller Rhiannon from Tregaron. The drama Medal is given by The Welsh Drama Society. Elin's work will be published by Cyhoeddiadau'r Stamp Publications immediately after the ceremony. It will be available to buy in pamphlet format at the Eisteddfod or from local bookshops across Wales. Owain Sparnon has created the artwork for the cover; he's local to the Eisteddfod area and was one judges in the main art awards this year. The first, second and third in the competition will have the opportunity to attend the Olwen Course at Canolfan Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre in memory of Olwen Dafydd, thanks to the Olwen Griffith Trust. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Urdd Eisteddfod 2025: Second day winner announced
The winner of Drama Medal at the 2025 Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro, was announced yesterday (Tuesday May 27.) And the prize was won by Elin Undeg Williams from Betws Gwerfil Goch, Denbighshire It is exactly fifty years since the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Drama Medal was introduced as one of the main ceremonies - at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Llanelli in 1975. This year the competitors were required to write a play or monologue suitable for performance for any medium for no more than two actors, and no longer than 15 minutes. According to the judges, Heiddwen Tomos and Sêra Moore Williams, 14 plays were received in a 'very high standard' competition, with both judges 'very pleased with the promise and confidence show in all the plays.' Elin is 18 years old and studying Welsh, History and Religious Education at Ysgol Brynhyfryd. She plans on studying Law and Professional Welsh at Aberystwyth University in September. She is a keen member of Uwchaled Young Farmers Club and is looking forward to competing as a member of Aelwyd Llangwm at the Eisteddfod the end of the week. Elin would like to thank her teachers in the Welsh Language Department at Ysgol Brynhyfryd for being so supportive and thank her family for everything. The judges said: 'This is a timely play with clever dialogue around a difficult situation. From the first reading we both loved the play. There are special moments that really touch the heart. The writing is special and captivates the reader. "There is a real depth and understanding of characters that could easily be identified with. The message is gripping and the tenderness between the two characters sustains the play.' Second in the competition was Ffred Hayes from Cardiff, and Mali Grigg from Bangor in third place. Both are members of the latest Cwmni Theatr yr Urdd (Urdd's Youth Theatre Company) production Ceridwen. Elin will be given the opportunity to spend some time with Theatr Cymru and receive further training with the BBC. Elin received a special medal created by jeweller Rhiannon from Tregaron. The drama Medal is given by The Welsh Drama Society. Elin's work will be published by Cyhoeddiadau'r Stamp Publications immediately after the ceremony. It will be available to buy in pamphlet format at the Eisteddfod or from local bookshops across Wales. Owain Sparnon has created the artwork for the cover; he's local to the Eisteddfod area and was one judges in the main art awards this year. The first, second and third in the competition will have the opportunity to attend the Olwen Course at Canolfan Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre in memory of Olwen Dafydd, thanks to the Olwen Griffith Trust.
