Latest news with #Elain
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).
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ACOTAR fans convinced they've 'worked out' when Sarah J Maas will announce next book
Fans of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas have been left disappointed after hoping the next book would be announced on the 10th anniversary of the first book's release Fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses were left feeling a bit let down when the book's 10th anniversary passed without any word on a new addition to the series. Before the anniversary, enthusiast were convinced that the 10-year milestone would be the day the next book was announced; however, this turned out to be wrong. Still, this hasn't dampened the spirits of readers who are convinced that a new book announcement is just around the corner, with some now speculating that the reveal will happen at the end of the month. Backing up their prediction, they noted that the large ACOTAR book displays appearing in bookstores across America all feature chapter 21 prominently, reports the Mirror US. They also highlighted that such announcements often fall on Wednesdays, which aligns with May 21, and interestingly, this date is right after Bloomsbury's upcoming trade meeting. The fan elaborated on their hypothesis by referencing Sarah J Maas's Spotify wrapped video where she seemingly gave a clue, saying: "5/21 is international tea day. SJM being a TS fan many speculate the Spotify wrapped video where she 'spilled the tea is another hint." As fans eagerly speculate about the release of the next book in the series, they are also scouring for clues about which character it will spotlight, with many fingers pointing towards Elain - sibling to previous protagonists Feyre and Nesta. The ACOTAR display at Waterstones Liverpool in the UK has stoked fan theories that it's a nod to Elain being the focus of the upcoming story. After Bloomsbury posted a TikTok video of the display, followers didn't hesitate to dive into detective mode, sharing their conjectures online. One aficionado commented: "Without Hope We Can Not Endure- on the floor, closed ivy on the walls, blossoms - looks like hints of Elain!". Another chimed in with: "Truth teller on the top left and the flower on the top right of the arch (ACOWAR and ACOFAS cover symbols)...very interesting," sparking thoughts of a possible tie to Elain and her rumored romance with Azriel. And yet another enthusiast declared: "ELRIEL IS GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER GUYS."
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sarah J Maas fans 'work out' hidden clue ACOTAR clue as they celebrate big anniversary
Fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses have been begging for an update on the series after discovering a 'hidden clue' while celebrating the series' tenth anniversary Celebrations are in full swing as it's the tenth anniversary since Sarah J Maas's smash-hit A Court of Thorns and Roses series first graced our bookshelves, sending fans around the globe into a frenzy of excitement - all of them eager for news on when the much-anticipated next instalment will drop. In honour of a decade of fantasy indulgence, gorgeous 'Night Court' special editions have hit the shelves this year, donning black and silver foiled covers complemented by black sprayed edges, causing quite the stir among both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to the bestselling phenomena. Giant book displays have started to make headlines in US bookstores for celebrating these singular editions and the monumental tenth birthday of the initial launch, with fans quick to point out that these displays seem to emphasise a particular chapter of the saga. Hopping onto TikTok, one aficionado gave a sneak peek at the books taking the spotlight at her local shop, dishing out a juicy guess about what's brewing for the future of the series and when the next chapter might be revealed. On her video post, @sarareadsabook speculated: "I'm highly convinced book 6 is going to be about the spring court and the announcement is coming May 5th. These giant ACOTAR books popping up everywhere and inside is the quote from Calanmai (May)", reports the Mirror US. Adding further intrigue, she hinted: "It's Elain's turn for a book (and we all know she's a Spring). The 10 year ACOTAR anniversary is May 5th. I believe we may find out some jaw dropping info about Calanmai in book six pertaining to certain characters [three sets of eye emojis]" The UK's tenth anniversary celebrations for a beloved book series have also sparked wild fan theories, particularly after a grand display at Liverpool Waterstones caught the eye. The setup featured quotes from the books, a mask, floral arrangements, and an evocative image of a dagger shrouded in shadows. When Bloomsbury posted a TikTok video of the display, fans flooded the comments with speculation. One eager fan commented: "Can this please be the announcement that the announcement is coming?" Others delved into what the new book might cover, with one saying: "Without Hope We Can Not Endure- on the floor, closed ivy on the walls, blossoms - looks like hints of Elain!" Another pointed out: "truth teller on the top left and the flower on the top right of the arch (ACOWAR and ACOFAS cover symbols)...very interesting" hinting at a connection to Elain and her possible romance with Azriel. A third chimed in with excitement: "ELRIEL IS GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER GUYS," which sparked a debate among fans, as one countered with: "Gwyn is Azriel's mate" while another suggested: "Eris is Azriel's mate."
