Latest news with #EisteddfodyrUrddDuraMôr
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 Main Prose Writer winner announced
The winner of the Main Prose Writer for the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro 2025, has been announced at the main ceremony yesterday (Friday). The title was taken by Mali Elwy, originally from Tan-y-Fron near Llansannan. Catrin Morris from Llanberis came second, and Elain Roberts (the winner of Thursday's Chair) from Pentre'r Bryn, Ceredigion took third place. The ceremony was sponsored by Cardiff University. The requirements of this year's Crown competition were to compose a piece or pieces of prose over 2,500 words on the theme 'Toddi / Ymdoddi' ( to melt). A total of 17 entries were received and the adjudicators, Menna Elfyn and Emyr Lewis, were 'particularly pleased with each of the entries". They both agreed on the winning entry: 'This is the story of a young woman whose relationship has broken down, and she decides to follow an evening creative writing course. We gradually get to know her and her history. There is humour and intensity here – a story within a story. 'This is a mature writer who knows how to craft a story. This is an exciting new voice that fully deserves to win the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro Crown.' 24-year-old Mali now lives in Y Felinheli. A former pupil of Ysgol Glan Clwyd, she graduated in Welsh and Creative Writing from Bangor University and works as a freelance facilitator in Gwynedd. This is the first time she has competed for the Crown, and she said she would like to thank Dr Marged Tudur and staff at the School of Welsh, Bangor University for all their support, and Ysgol Glan Clwyd for inspiring and encouraging her to start writing many years ago. Nicola Palterman from Neath created this year's Crown, and the prize is given by primary schools in the West Glamorgan Region. 'I wanted the design to be based on the steel and sea theme,' explains jeweller Nicola Palterman. '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.' It was Siân Lloyd, winner of the crown exactly 50 years ago at Eisteddfod yr Urdd 1975, who presented the winner with the crown today. 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.
Pembrokeshire Herald
2 days 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.
Wales Online
2 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
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 third day winners confirmed
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 winners of the Bobi Jones Medal and the Welsh Learners Medal competitions at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro 2025, were announced yesterday (Wednesday). The Bobi Jones Medal (19-25 years old) was awarded to Joe Morgan from Cardiff and the Young Learners Medal (Yr.10 and under 19) to Lloyd Wolfe also from Cardiff. The Bobi Jones Medal and the Learners Medal acknowledges individuals who are committed to learning Welsh, who passionately promote the Welsh language and can hold a conversation in Welsh. The candidates were given several practical tasks on the Maes. The adjudicators for the Medals were Miriam Elin Jones and Elin Meek. The ceremony is sponsored by the National Centre for Learning Welsh who were also taking part in learner's activities on the Maes yesterday (Wednesday), on the day the Urdd celebrated new Welsh speakers at the Eisteddfod. The Bobi Jones Medal is awarded to an individual aged 19-25 who demonstrates their use of the Welsh language on a day-to-day basis by answering questions about their reasons for learning the language, the impact of learning Welsh has had on their lives, and their hopes for the future. Joe, who is from Cardiff, is a first-year student at Swansea University studying Journalism and Communications. He said: 'During my time at university, I've joined the Welsh Society to practise the language in a social setting and to experience more of the culture. 'I love making online videos in Welsh. I post shorter content on TikTok and Instagram, and longer videos on YouTube. I developed my passion for this during my time as a Coleg Cymraeg Ambassador, and I'm excited to continue my work with them this year. 'Overall, my journey learning Welsh has enabled me to appreciate and love the language and its culture, and I'm so grateful for every door the language has opened for me.' Joe's brother, Gwilym Morgan, was the winner of the Learners' Medal at Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2023 in Carmarthenshire. Susanna Power from Cardiff was awarded second place, with Deryn-Bach Allen-Dyer from Bro Morgannwg in third place. The Learner's Medal is awarded to a young person aged between 10 and under 19 who can demonstrate how they use the language on a day-to-day basis at school, college, or work and socially. (Image: Urdd 2025) Out of nine competitors, Lloyd Wolfe from Cardiff was the winner. Lloyd is studying A Levels in Music, English literature, Drama and Second Language Welsh at Cardiff West Community High School. Lloyd said: "In my spare time I enjoy composing music and attending Welsh gigs such as Tafwyl and Maes B. I feel that the Welsh Language has had such a huge impact on my life as I use it in every aspect of my life. I use Welsh with my friends and especially with my work as an ambassador for the Coleg Cymraeg - it is such a great opportunity to be able to work through the medium of Welsh." Alex McLean from Mynydd Isa was awarded second place and Georgia Jones from Flintshire in third place. The Bobi Jones Medal was given by Dysgu Cymraeg Ardal Bae Abertawe, and the Welsh Learner's is given Tŷ'r Gwrhyd - Canolfan Gymraeg Cwm Tawe. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
