CROWDS FLOCK TO URDD NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD
THE celebration of music and Welsh culture at events like The Urdd National Eisteddfod has never been more important, according to two of the stars who opened the week-long festival at a special ceremony.
A week after the Manchester terror attack, which killed 22 people and left dozens of others needing hospital care, the first day of the Eisteddfod was held on the 20-acre site in Pencoed on Monday.
The event is bigger and better than ever this year with more than 15,000 competitors and 90,000 visitors expected to visit the Maes by the end of the festival on June 3.
The festival kicked off in the Eisteddfod Pavilion, which holds 1,800 people, on Sunday, as Welsh television presenter Siân Lloyd and West End star Sophie Evans hosted a special opening concert.
Sophie – who recently landed the role of Gilda in the West End production of the award-winning musical Wicked – said: “It’s so important that we have events like the Eisteddfod.
“What happened in Manchester last week was just horrendous but we can’t let it stop us from living. That’s why I love events like this, because the whole community comes together to celebrate music.
“When Manchester came together, it was inspirational and now Wales are doing that too.”
Broadcaster Sian, who comes from Maesteg, Picture 121161585 added: “We are the land of song and throughout this event we will show that through our unity and strength.
“I was born near here in Maesteg and I always love coming back to south Wales. I travel the world but nothing is better than coming back home.
“The crowds at the Eisteddfod are always amazing – even more when they’re a home crowd.”
The Eisteddfod is being held in the Ogwr, Taf and Elai district, part of the Urdd’s mid Glamor- gan district which extends from Maesteg and Porthcawl in the west to Llantrisant and Pontypridd in the east, for the fifth time.
The last time the Eisteddfod was staged locally was in 2003 when the event was staged in Margam Park near Port Talbot.
Also performing at the spectacular opening concert on Sunday night were Britain’s Got Talent runners up Only Boys Aloud, Dawnswyr Bro Tâf, Steffan Rhys Hughes, Rhydian Jenkins, and Côr Adran Bro Tâf, as well as children and young people from the Bridgend area.
Competitions kicked off early on Monday and ranged from choirs to solo recitations, dance, science, arts and crafts and poetry.
Organisers have spent the last five weeks creating a mini-village on fields to stage the event.
A number of activities and attractions are also being held on the site including 80 stands selling jewellery, books, arts and crafts, a number of food and drink stalls, and a sports area.
There will be heightened security at the festival, with increased police presence and bag checks being carried out in the wake of the Manchester attack.
Aled Siôn, director of the Urdd Eisteddfod, said: “We were liaising with police for months before the event, especially with the Champions League final being held in Cardiff this weekend. We’ve obviously listened to what they had to say and on their advice increased the security and number of officers on site.
“There will also be increased security in the welcome tent and the back area with bag searches taking place in both locations.
“What happened in Manchester puts everything in perspective – we’re doing this for the children and young people here in Wales, for people to enjoy themselves and to enjoy the local talent.
“Our motto is: ‘For Wales, for the fellow man, and for Christ’ and in the wake of the Manchester attack that has never been more relevant - that we all get on with each other.”
Mr Siôn added: “From Pontypridd to Porthcawl, and Pontyclun to Maesteg, the residents of Bridgend and parts of Rhondda Cynon Taf have given their all over the past two years to ensure that everybody knows that the Urdd Eisteddfod is coming to Bridgend. The welcome and dedication to raise the necessary funding has been amazing.
“I would like to thank each and every individual from the bottom of my heart for their contribution to staging one of Europe’s largest youth festivals in this beautiful part of Wales.
“Thank you also to Bridgend County Borough Council for their support and to Bridgend College for letting us use land on their campus for the lovely Maes this year.”