IN WITH THE NEW CREW
WALES’ new Archdruid called for women to be given more recognition for the work they do and their achievements.
Geraint Lloyd Owen, from Bontnewydd near Caernarfon, spoke after he was invested as Archdruid of the Gorsedd of Bards during the proclamation ceremony for the 2017 National Eisteddfod at Holyhead.
Persistent drizzle forced the cancellation of the colourful procession and the ceremony was held at Holyhead High School instead of around the Goresdd stones.
Mr Owen accepted the first copy of the 2017 National Eistedfod syllabus from Dr Derec Llwyd Morgan, the chair of the local executive committee, and declared that the Eisteddfod shall be held on the island in August next year.
Mr Owen, known in bardic circles as Geraint Llifon, follows Archruid Christine James in the top job.
She was the first woman to have been elected to the post.
Asked before the ceremony if he was looking forward to his three-year stint as Archdruid Mr Owen said: “I have very mixed feelings. Half of me says everything will be fine and the other half says why on earth did I agree to the job.
“But it is an honour to have been invited and in the end I am proud to carry out the duties.”
He said that his late daughter Elliw would have urged him to “go for it” and would be delighted to see him take on the key role of Archdruid.
She died suddenly last February while waiting for a replacement pancreas and kidney.
The 40-year-old had been on the transplant list since a failed operation in 2008 when she passed away.