Latest news with #EilyrThomas
Western Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Llandissilio music teacher wins prestigious Eisteddfod medal
Eilyr Thomas, from Llandissilio, was awarded the Sir T.H. Parry-Williams Memorial Medal at this year's Wrexham National Eisteddfod for her outstanding contributions to her community. The award, presented annually to individuals who make a significant impact in their local area, particularly through work with young people, recognises her decades of service. Ms Thomas said: "When I found out, I was completely speechless – I couldn't think of any words at all. "I'm not someone who wins competitions or anything like that, but this – I just couldn't believe it. "Of course, it's an honour, and I'm very proud to accept it." A teacher and headteacher in primary schools across Maenclochog and Mynachlog-ddu, Ms Thomas has also been deeply involved in music from an early age. She achieved success as a soloist and as part of choirs in eisteddfodau large and small, and has inspired generations of young people to pursue singing. Seven of her former pupils, now professional singers, took to the stage during the ceremony to pay tribute to their former teacher. Ms Thomas said: "I was fine until I saw them come on stage. "I wasn't expecting them. "Some had said they weren't coming to the Eisteddfod but it was nice to see them and hear them sing." Her influence extends beyond vocal training, helping young people become confident performers. Ms Thomas said: "The family was musical, and I suppose I showed some kind of desire to sing, even though I was incredibly shy. "Every time someone came to the house and asked me to sing, I'd go behind the curtains – I could never face them." Her voluntary work in the community is also widely recognised. She has served as conductor of Cantorion Cleddau and is an active member of Nebo Chapel in Efailwen. She was honoured with the White Robe in Gorsedd Cymru and has previously served on the Eisteddfod Council. The Sir T.H. Parry-Williams Memorial Medal commemorates the life and contributions of Sir T.H. Parry-Williams, a passionate supporter of the National Eisteddfod.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Eisteddfod sees doctor's shock Osborne Roberts Memorial Prize win
A young doctor has won a prestigious prize for his singing at the eisteddfod - despite not bringing a suit with him and failing to ask for the day off work. Caleb Nicholas, 24, won the Osborne Roberts Memorial Prize at this year's Eisteddfod in Wrexham after picking up the hobby six years ago. The doctor, who works at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Rhondda Cynon Taf, said singing was an "escape" for was due to receive his induction session as a paediatric doctor on Friday, but said going through to the finals after winning his bass-baritone competition was "completely unexpected". Caleb receives lessons from Pembrokeshire teacher Eilyr Thomas, who won this year's Sir TH Parry-Williams Memorial Medal - presented every year to someone who has "contributed widely within their local community with a particular emphasis on working with young people".As the Osborne Roberts Memorial Prize winner, the doctor will be invited to perform at the North America Wales Festival in early September 2026 held in Springfield, Massachusetts. Caleb said his intention was to "do my best" in the bass-baritone competition, and that to go on to win was a there he was invited to compete for the Osborne Roberts scholarship."It was completely unexpected to have the opportunity to compete in the Osborne Roberts, which is such an honourable competition and a new opportunity to compete at a higher level," he said. Caleb said he had not booked time off, but after bumping into one of the consultants he worked with at the hospital last year he was able to take the rest of the week off work and compete to win the said winning the award was "a great honour". Caleb said he didn't even bring a suit with him to the eisteddfod because he did not think he would make it to the said: "My brother brought the suit to Llandysul from Efail Wen and then my sister brought it from Llandysul up to Wrexham by Thursday morning, so I had my suit in the end." But will Caleb trade the scrubs for the microphone as a job?He said: "It's something I really enjoy doing, I've invested a lot of time preparing for this competition, but it's a very nice contrast with day-to-day work."It's a great escape from the stress of work, working as a doctor and it's a nice escape from 9-5 work."Looking forward to the next step as a singer, Caleb said he hoped to "continue to compete" and aims to compete next year in the open competitions."We'll see how it goes, but I'm keen to keep developing my voice." Thanking his teacher Eilyr, he said: "Without her I think I would've stopped competing after my first time doing so at the Cardiff Urdd Eisteddfod 2018."She teaches in such a natural way that suits my character, which makes me more comfortable," he said he was able to celebrate with friends following the win after they came to meet him backstage, adding: "I hope they buy me a pint tonight!"
North Wales Live
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Woman left 'completely speechless' after being honoured at the National Eisteddfod
The Sir T.H. Parry-Williams Memorial Medal was presented at the Wrexham National Eisteddfod to a woman who has inspired generations of young people in her community. The award is given annually to an individual who has made a genuine contribution to their local area, with a special emphasis on working with young people. Eilyr Thomas, from Llandissilio, Pembrokeshire, was a teacher and headteacher in primary schools in the Maenclochog and Mynachlog-ddu area for most of her working life. Beyond her career in education, she has been active in music and singing from a very young age. She enjoyed great success on the stages of both small and large eisteddfodau as a soloist and as a member of choirs and parties. Through her expertise and dedication many young people have blossomed and grown to become professional singers. Seven of them came on stage during the ceremony to greet their teacher. She said: "I was fine until I saw them come on stage. I wasn't expecting them. Some had said they weren't coming to the Eisteddfod but it was nice to see them and hear them sing." She was informed a few weeks ago that she would be honoured with the Medal this year. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox "When I found out, I was completely speechless – I couldn't think of any words at all. I'm not someone who wins competitions or anything like that, but this – I just couldn't believe it. Of course, it's an honour, and I'm very proud to accept it," she said. Through Eilyr Thomas's expertise and dedication, many young people have flourished – not only by developing their vocal abilities – but also by growing into confident performers. "The family was musical, and I suppose I showed some kind of desire to sing, even though I was incredibly shy. Every time someone came to the house and asked me to sing, I'd go behind the curtains – I could never face them," she said. Eilyr Thomas's voluntary contributions to the community are also significant. She has been the conductor of Cantorion Cleddau and is a dedicated member of Nebo Chapel, Efailwen. She was honoured with the White Robe in Gorsedd Cymru and is a former member of the Eisteddfod Council. Sir T.H. Parry-Williams was a passionate supporter of the National Eisteddfod, and in August 1975, following his death a few months earlier, a fund was established to commemorate his valuable contribution to the Eisteddfod's activities. The fund is administered by the Sir Thomas Parry-Williams Trust.
