Pioneering role in the Gorsedd
THE Reverend Beti-wyn James has been announced as the first woman to be appointed as the Gorsedd’s Herald Bard.
Beti-wyn, who hails from Clydach, near Swansea, succeeds Dyfrig ab Ifor (Dyfrig Roberts) in the role.
She was educated at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera and Aberystwyth Theological College before being ordained to the ministry in Tabernacl Chapel, Barry, and the churches of Priordy, Carmarthen, Cana and Bancyfelyn are currently under her pastoral care. She is also president of the Union of Welsh Independents.
Beti-wyn was admitted into the Gorsedd at the Swansea and District National Eisteddfod 2006 and has attended its ceremonies regularly since then.
She served as a distain (steward) at the Ceredigion Eisteddfod Proclamation Ceremony in June 2019, and also in that year helped arrange Gŵyl yr Orsedd (Gorsedd Festival) in Carmarthen to mark the bicentenary of the coming together of the Gorsedd and the Eisteddfod.
She was vice-chair of the Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod 2014 and says a particular privilege was leading the religious service from the pavilion stage during that eisteddfod.
Beti-wyn said: “I was brought up to appreciate the importance of the
National Eisteddfod to our nation’s life and have attended it annually since childhood. I believe that the Gorsedd is a special vehicle to promote the development and enrichment of Welsh culture. Its ceremonies are colourful, dignified and valuable, and its traditions are important and must be preserved.
“I look forward to shouldering the responsibilities of the Herald Bard and am very conscious of the privilege which has been extended to me.”
The Archdruid Myrddin ap Dafydd said: “It became obvious in our conversations with Beti-wyn that Gorsedd traditions, their aura and significance, have a special place in her heart.”
The new Herald Bard will be known by her bardic name, yr Arwyddfardd Beti-wyn, and will assume her duties at the end of the Ceredigion National Eisteddfod this summer.