Latest news with #EisteddfodyrUrdd
Powys County Times
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Llanidloes music teacher made honorary president for Urdd
A Llanidloes-born music teacher has been honoured for her contribution to Wales' largest youth organisation, the Urdd. Menna Bennett Joynson was one of four volunteers who were made an honorary president of Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Mor 2025 at a special ceremony on Monday (May 26). Menna was born in Llanidloes before her family moved to Llanuwchllyn and then to Aberystwyth. She grew up in a musical and cultured household and was familiar with singing and participating in Eisteddfodau from an early age. At Eisteddfod yr Urdd, she has had considerable success in the field of 'cerdd dant', while she also coached pupils to sing and compete in her role as a music teacher at Ysgol Rhydfelen. In 1976, she moved to Swansea with her husband and raised three children locally. Menna established 'Adran Sgeti' in 1978 which later developed into 'Aelwyd yr Urdd Sgeti'. Over the years, they went on to have considerable success at Eisteddfod yr Urdd. Menna was appointed music teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr and a peripatetic harp teacher in the area. She spoke of her gratitude to the Urdd, adding that all the experiences she and her pupils have had have greatly enriched her life. "The Urdd has fulfilled so much for me," Menna told S4C. "I owe a big debt to the Urdd." Llio Maddocks, Director of the Arts, Urdd Gobaith Cymru said: 'The four who are being honoured this year have given over 160 years of support to the movement.
South Wales Argus
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Tredegar House to host Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2027
The 17th Century house has been called home to some of the most powerful and influential families in the area, with its stunning 90-acre grounds making it a perfect site for the Eisteddfod. Llio Maddocks, the Urdd's Art and Eisteddfod Director says: 'I am so pleased to see Newport City Council and the whole of Gwent community's support to hosting the Eisteddfod in 2027. "Tredegar House looks like the perfect site for us organisers. One of the most important elements of Eisteddfod yr Urdd is the fact that it's a travelling festival and therefore visit areas that have never hosted the festival before. "I very much look forward to working with the Council and local community over the next two years to provide valuable experiences for children and young people of the area.' 'We are delighted that Tredegar House has been confirmed as the venue for Eisteddfod yr Urdd's first ever visit to Newport in 2027', said Councillor Emma Corten, Newport City Council's cabinet member for culture and communications. 'Hosting more major events and increasing the use of Welsh in our cultural offer are both parts of our long-term cultural strategy for the city. Eisteddfod yr Urdd, one of Wales's largest cultural events, will help us as we work to deliver on both of those goals. 'We're keen to involve as many businesses and community groups, both in the city centre and across Newport, as possible in the celebrations, so that as many people as possible experience the buzz of a major cultural event. We cannot wait for our city to play host to visitors from across Wales and beyond in two years' time.' Lizzie Smith Jones, National Trust Cymru General Manager for Tredegar House said: 'We're incredibly proud to be welcoming Eisteddfod yr Urdd to Tredegar House and parkland in 2027. It's a huge moment for Newport and our community - we're looking forward to playing our part in the celebrations of Welsh language, culture and creativity, and championing Wales' future generations.'
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Plaid Cymru's Urdd Eisteddfod 'free entry' pledge
The promise supports continued free access to the annual youth festival - which is coming to Newport in 2027 - for families who might otherwise be unable to attend. Heledd Fychan MS, Plaid Cymru's spokesperson on the Welsh language and culture, said: "The importance of Eisteddfod yr Urdd to the Welsh language and culture cannot be understated. "The festival supports young people from across Wales to immerse themselves in the Welsh language and develop their language skills. "Eisteddfod yr Urdd has always, and continues to, play a prominent role in increasing not only the numbers of Welsh speakers but increasing the daily use of Welsh. "That is why a Plaid Cymru Government will ensure that the Eisteddfod can be enjoyed by all, by supporting free access to families from low-income backgrounds." Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025 has already seen a record 119,593 registrations and a 42 per cent increase in competitors who are Welsh learners. Ms Fychan said the figures highlight the festival's vital role in supporting the use of Welsh beyond the classroom and building confidence among new speakers. She said a Plaid Cymru government would prioritise continued backing for Urdd Gobaith Cymru and its work. Ms Fychan said: "Plaid Cymru remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting and growing the Welsh language, and the work undertaken by the Urdd is central to that vision. "Free entry for low-income families to Eisteddfod yr Urdd is something we have long campaigned for and would be funded by a future Plaid Cymru government."
Pembrokeshire Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Môn Mam Cymru to welcome extended Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd in 2026
MON MAM CYMRU will welcome an extended Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd as the festival returns to the Island next year. It was announced today (Friday 30th May) at the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro, that Urdd Gobaith Cymru intends to extend the festival to seven days in 2026. This comes in response to an increase in the number of individuals that register to compete as well as the demand for more competitions. Llio Maddocks, Director of Arts at Urdd Gobaith Cymru said, 'The Eisteddfod yr Urdd is an ever-evolving festival, and we listen to our members. We've seen more registrations to compete than ever before and a demand for additional stage competitions, and we're so pleased to see the positive impact the festival is having by increasing opportunities to engage with the Welsh language outside the classroom.' 'In response to this demand and to ensure we continue to be an inclusive organisation to each and every child and young person in Wales, we'll be expanding the Eisteddfod to a seven day festival.' Since 1929, Eisteddfod yr Urdd has provided invaluable opportunities for children and young people in Wales to showcase their talents, develop new skills and socialise with others from every part of Wales. Today, it's one of the biggest youth festivals in Europe, and Eisteddfod yr Urdd welcomes around 100,000 visitors every year. The festival was last held in Anglesey back in 2004. The Leader of Anglesey County Council, Councillor Gary Pritchard, welcomed the announcement at the Eisteddfod. He said, 'Welcoming this unique festival – that will now last seven days when it comes to the site in Mona – will be a significant boost to the Welsh language, our young people and the economy.' 'As a County Council and Island, we are truly looking forward to welcoming Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd in a year's time. There is nowhere better than Anglesey to stage this Welsh event for the young people of Wales, and following today's announcement, we will have a full week of competing.' 'I'd like to thank Urdd Ynys Môn's Executive Committee and all volunteers for working tirelessly to ensure that Anglesey will, once again, be an exemplary home for this special festival in 2026.' He added, 'I look forward to seeing children, young people and families from all across the country visiting Anglesey.' The competing will begin on the Saturday before Whitsun and will last until the Friday of that week, with Gŵyl Triban moving to the first weekend, and the broadcasting partnership will continue with S4C. The Chair of Urdd Ynys Môn's Executive Committee, Manon Wyn Williams, said, 'The increase in the annual number of individuals competing in the Eisteddfod yr Urdd is extremely encouraging, and means that more children and young people take advantage of valuable opportunities through the association'. 'This is all thanks to tireless efforts of the Urdd's coaches, teachers, volunteers, and hard-working staff across Wales. As a result, extending the Eisteddfod to seven days is an exciting and important development. It's a privilege that we on Anglesey are welcoming this experimental Eisteddfod, and it's an opportunity to look at the festival's structure with a fresh pair of eyes, working with children and young people in Wales as we do this. We are all extremely excited to welcome everyone to the Island in a years' time!' Anglesey County Council's Chief Executive, Dylan J Williams, added, 'There is significant local enthusiasm, and people are eager to welcome this unique youth festival to the Island. It's a great opportunity for us to show Anglesey at its best. We will continue to work with the Urdd and local committee, with the aim of welcoming the Eisteddfod, and people from across Wales, here in 2026.' Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd will be held during the last week of May, as usual, corresponding with the half term school holiday. The festival is held either in the South or the North of Wales, alternating each year.
Business News Wales
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Historic Tredegar House to Host Eisteddfod yr Urdd Casnewydd 2027
The Urdd is excited to announce that the location of Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2027 will be Tredegar House in Newport. The ancient 17th Century house was home to the Morgan family, later the Tredegar family who were one of the most powerful and influential families in the area. The mansion sits on stunning 90-acre green grounds, making it a 'perfect site' for the Eisteddfod. Llio Maddocks, the Urdd's Arts and Eisteddfod Director: 'I am so pleased to see Newport City Council and the whole of Gwent community's support to hosting the Eisteddfod in 2027. Tredegar House looks like the perfect site for us organisers. One of the most important elements of Eisteddfod yr Urdd is the fact that it's a travelling festival and therefore visit areas that have never hosted the festival before. I very much look forward to working with the Council and local community over the next two years to provide valuable experiences for children and young people of the area.' 'We are delighted that Tredegar House has been confirmed as the venue for Eisteddfod yr Urdd's first ever visit to Newport in 2027', said Councillor Emma Corten, Newport City Council's cabinet member for culture and communications. 'Hosting more major events and increasing the use of Welsh in our cultural offer are both parts of our long-term cultural strategy for the city. Eisteddfod yr Urdd, one of Wales's largest cultural events, will help us as we work to deliver on both of those goals. 'We're keen to involve as many businesses and community groups, both in the city centre and across Newport, as possible in the celebrations, so that as many people as possible experience the buzz of a major cultural event. We cannot wait for our city to play host to visitors from across Wales and beyond in two years' time.' Lizzie Smith Jones, National Trust Cymru General Manager for Tredegar House said: 'We're incredibly proud to be welcoming Eisteddfod yr Urdd to Tredegar House and parkland in 2027. It's a huge moment for Newport and our community – we're looking forward to playing our part in the celebrations of Welsh language, culture and creativity, and championing Wales' future generations.'
