PAVILION GOES UP
Setting the stage
WORK to transform farmland into the site of Wales’ biggest cultural festival is continuing.
The National Eisteddfod is being staged on Anglesey this year and engineers moved onto the land near Bodedern to build the Maes four weeks ago.
After opening entrances in the hedges around the site and laying down hardcore to create temporary roadways, huge articulated trucks started delivering the buildings.
Among the first to arrive were the structures for Babell Len (the literary pavilion), Y Lle Celf (the art exhibition) and Theatr y Maes (theatre).
The main pavilion, which was first used at last year’s festival in Abergavenny, has also been delivered.
Huw Aled Jones, head of technical opera- tions at the National Eisteddfod, said the side walls of the building were put in place over several days, with the roof of the building being hoisted into place last week.
“Once complete, the fitting out of the pavilion will commence,” he said.
“The seats will be installed along with the lighting rig and stage.”
Earlier this year, Neptunus, the company responsible for the building, was awarded the prize for the Best Temporary Structure Company at the Festival Supplier Awards held in London.
The structure was praised by the adjudicators, who said that it “provided an innovative solution for a high-profile event that improved the environment for attendees and performers, whilst also raising the quality of production for the broadcasting element”.
Other work being carried out includes siting the 300 or so stands and preparing for the many units that make up the Eisteddfod Maes each year.
The National Eisteddfod starts on August 4 and continues until August 12.
More details about the event can be found online at eisteddfod.cymru.