Island doing so well in push for cash total

FUND-RAISERS for next year’s National Eisteddfod on Anglesey have already banked more than two thirds of their target officials revealed.

The island, which will host the weeklong festival at Bodedern in August 2017, were set a target of £325,000 as their contribution to the £4m cost of the event.

Officials split the island into areas and local committees established soon after a public meeting in Llangefni last June which officially invited the National Eisteddfod to Anglesey.

Executive committee chairman Derec Llwyd Morgan told the Eisteddfod Coun- cil, who met at Holyhead Town Hall ahead of last weekend’s Proclamation Ceremony, that a large number of activities have been staged right across the island.

“They have varied from concerts and cymanfaoedd canu to plunging into the sea on New Year’s Day and sponsored weight loss.

“Her Hywel, the sponsored slim led by the broadcaster Hywel Gwynfryn, has raised more than £6,000.

“Last week a strawberry and wine evening raised more than £2,700 and it of particular delight to me to say more than 1,000 people have already been involved in fund-raising for the Eistedd- fod.

“The result is that more than two thirds of the £325,000 target has been raised and there are still 13 months to go before the Eisteddfod begins.

“The enthusiasm being shown by the fund-raisers is infectious,” he said.

Mr Morgan was reluctant to give an exact figure.

“We must not lose sight of the fact that we have not yet reached the target set by the Eisteddfod,” he said.

He added more money is expected with a sizeable donation likely from the Isle of Anglesey Charitable Trust.

“With little more than 13 months to go we are already looking at activities on the Maes itself.

“The evening concert programme is being considererd.

“I cannot expand further on these discussions because no contracts have yet been signed but we already know that the opening concert will be to commemorate the centenary since Hedd Wyn was killed in action.

“He was subsequently awarded the chair at the Eisteddfod held in Birkenhead,” he added.

The National Eisteddfod will be held on land near Bodedern from August 4-12,2017.

More information online at eisteddfod.cymru