Bridgend artist inspired by rivers to create the sought-after crown
THE chair and the crown – the Urdd Eisteddfod’s most sought-after prizes – have been presented to the organisers of this year’s festival ahead of the Eisteddfod itself.
The chair, which is awarded to the best poem in strict or free metre, has been made using ash and sapele wood this year, with a strip of steel running through the chair to represent the steel industry in the area.
It’s been designed and created by Osian Roberts, originally from Rhoshirwaun near Aberdaron, but now working as the Head of Technology at Ysgol Llangynwyd, Maesteg.
Artist Iolo Edger, owner of ‘Jewellers on the Bridge’ in Bridgend, has made and designed the crown this year, which is awarded to the best piece or pieces of prose over 4,000 words.
The design will be based on the Celtic torc rather than a traditional crown this year, made
from silver, with words from the Welsh national anthem incorporated into the design and elements of the local landscapes and rivers featured.
Osian is from a family of carpenters, with his father and brother in the business.
He said: “My broth- er, Ifan, came down to give me a hand with the chair - we’ve always been quite a creative family.”
Iolo was born and bred in Bridgend, also from a family of artists, who is now running the family business.
He specialises in making jewellery and has started learning Welsh in the last few years.
Iolo said: “It has been a real pleasure designing the crown for the Urdd Eisteddfod in 2017.
“I took influence from the surrounding contours of the landscape and the three rivers that flow through the area.”