CULTURAL FESTIVAL TOTAL IS SMASHED
Anglesey hits Eisteddfod cash target
THE PEOPLE of Anglesey have surpassed their fundraising target for this year’s National Eisteddfod, a whole seven months before the event is held.
Officials have hailed the efforts of reaching the island’s £325,000 target as ‘remarkable’, with the highlight of the Welsh cultural calendar set to be held at Bodedern in early August.
The cost of hosting the eight day event is around £3.5m, with islanders tasked with raising around a tenth of that amount.
As a result, a host of concerts, gigs and nosweithiau llawen have been held along the length and breadth of the island, with some brave volunteers even braving the January cold waters of Benllech just two weeks ago.
Executive chairman of the 2017 Eisteddfod, Prof Derec Llwyd Morgan, praised the “great lengths” that people had gone to in order to reach the target so early.
He added: “There has been great enthusiasm on the island and I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed in whatever way. With there being so many events over recent months, the momentum is clear. We look forward to August now.”
Dr Haydn E Edwards, chair of the Eisteddfod 2017 fundraising committee, said: “Over the past year, all sorts of activities have been held across the island.
“By now, the £325,000 target has now been reached and we’d like to thank the hundreds who have been part of this effort as well as the schools, societies, community councils and bodies of all kinds who have contributed so generously.
“The local fund is one tenth of the Eisteddfod costs, there will be other targets including ticket sales, sponsorship, local government contributions and a host of other funding streams, and all these will have to be reached to ensure a financially secure festival.
“The local fund remains open with a few communities still to reach their set target, giving those who have not yet contributed, the chance to do so.
“As things stand, we couldn’t have done better, reaching the total a whole seven months before the Eisteddfod.
“Remarkable’ is the only term I can use to describe the effort and I must praise the local organisers for their hard work. I know they’ve enjoyed the experience and the host of fundraisers held over recent months.”
Hosting the National Eisteddfod could generate between £6-8 million for the local economy, attracting some 160,000 visitors and bringing a whole host of cultural, linguistic and social benefits.
Last year, around 140,000 people flocked to the Maes set up on parkland close to Abergavenny town centre, with hopes that the figure could be surpassed as visitors cross the Menai Straits to the festival site on the outskirts of Bodedern.
Rhun ap Iorwerth AM said: “From the very start, the people of Anglesey have shown our determination to ensure the 2017 Eisteddfod will be one to remember, The way so many people have rolled up their sleeves to arrange so many different events and put their hands in their pockets to support, is testament to that.
“Congratulations to everyone who’s played a part thus far. There’s a lot of hard work still to come, but we look forward to August.”
While Albert Owen MP, added: “I congratulate the local community on its funding achievement for the 2017 National Eisteddfod to be held on the island.
“I am certain it will lead to a successful event and bring benefits to the local and wider community.”