Latest news with #Urdd
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Eisteddfod yr Urdd is ‘huge opportunity' for Newport
Tredegar House will welcome thousands of people to the Welsh-language youth cultural festival for its 2027 edition. Newport City Council cabinet members agreed on Monday to provide an extra £100,000 of funding to support the event. The money, from the council's events reserve fund, will be ring-fenced for hire and venue charges, licensing matters, and any park and ride services. Cllr Emma Stowell-Corten, the cabinet member for culture, said the Urdd has 'a huge economic value to the areas that host it' worth millions of pounds. She said more than 15,000 children and young people participate in the festival, which will also attract thousands more visitors. Cllr Rhian Howells, whose ward includes Tredegar House, said she was 'absolutely thrilled' Newport would host the Urdd. 'Having seen the level of income it generates for the city… I would be very supportive of the extra funding,' she added. Other cabinet members also welcomed the possibilities the festival could bring to the city. Plaid Cymru pledges to free access to Urdd Eisteddfod for low-income families Newport is a 'city on the rise' with a bright future - and this is why Cllr Jason Hughes, reflecting on his own appearance on the Urdd stage as a youngster, said the experience could be 'life-changing' for young participants. The Urdd will be a 'huge opportunity', said Cllr Deb Davies – while Cllr James Clarke said the prospect of welcoming an estimated 60,000 visitors will be a 'massive boost' for Newport. 'What better way to say we are a proud Welsh city,' added Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, the city council leader. Preparing for the event will be no small feat, however, with around 90 acres of land required for the festival ground, car parking and campsites. Schools could be used as rehearsal spaces, while teachers and other support staff will likely need to be available to support children with their preparations. The 2027 Urdd will reportedly be the largest Welsh-language event in the city in two decades. The council describes the prospect as a 'huge event and opportunity for Newport' which will also align with Welsh Government ambitions to reach a target of one million Welsh speakers nationwide by the year 2050.
Powys County Times
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Llanidloes music teacher made honorary president for Urdd
A Llanidloes-born music teacher has been honoured for her contribution to Wales' largest youth organisation, the Urdd. Menna Bennett Joynson was one of four volunteers who were made an honorary president of Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Mor 2025 at a special ceremony on Monday (May 26). Menna was born in Llanidloes before her family moved to Llanuwchllyn and then to Aberystwyth. She grew up in a musical and cultured household and was familiar with singing and participating in Eisteddfodau from an early age. At Eisteddfod yr Urdd, she has had considerable success in the field of 'cerdd dant', while she also coached pupils to sing and compete in her role as a music teacher at Ysgol Rhydfelen. In 1976, she moved to Swansea with her husband and raised three children locally. Menna established 'Adran Sgeti' in 1978 which later developed into 'Aelwyd yr Urdd Sgeti'. Over the years, they went on to have considerable success at Eisteddfod yr Urdd. Menna was appointed music teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr and a peripatetic harp teacher in the area. She spoke of her gratitude to the Urdd, adding that all the experiences she and her pupils have had have greatly enriched her life. "The Urdd has fulfilled so much for me," Menna told S4C. "I owe a big debt to the Urdd." Llio Maddocks, Director of the Arts, Urdd Gobaith Cymru said: 'The four who are being honoured this year have given over 160 years of support to the movement.
South Wales Argus
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Tredegar House to host Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2027
The 17th Century house has been called home to some of the most powerful and influential families in the area, with its stunning 90-acre grounds making it a perfect site for the Eisteddfod. Llio Maddocks, the Urdd's Art and Eisteddfod Director says: 'I am so pleased to see Newport City Council and the whole of Gwent community's support to hosting the Eisteddfod in 2027. "Tredegar House looks like the perfect site for us organisers. One of the most important elements of Eisteddfod yr Urdd is the fact that it's a travelling festival and therefore visit areas that have never hosted the festival before. "I very much look forward to working with the Council and local community over the next two years to provide valuable experiences for children and young people of the area.' 'We are delighted that Tredegar House has been confirmed as the venue for Eisteddfod yr Urdd's first ever visit to Newport in 2027', said Councillor Emma Corten, Newport City Council's cabinet member for culture and communications. 'Hosting more major events and increasing the use of Welsh in our cultural offer are both parts of our long-term cultural strategy for the city. Eisteddfod yr Urdd, one of Wales's largest cultural events, will help us as we work to deliver on both of those goals. 'We're keen to involve as many businesses and community groups, both in the city centre and across Newport, as possible in the celebrations, so that as many people as possible experience the buzz of a major cultural event. We cannot wait for our city to play host to visitors from across Wales and beyond in two years' time.' Lizzie Smith Jones, National Trust Cymru General Manager for Tredegar House said: 'We're incredibly proud to be welcoming Eisteddfod yr Urdd to Tredegar House and parkland in 2027. It's a huge moment for Newport and our community - we're looking forward to playing our part in the celebrations of Welsh language, culture and creativity, and championing Wales' future generations.'
South Wales Argus
30-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Plaid Cymru's Urdd Eisteddfod 'free entry' pledge
The promise supports continued free access to the annual youth festival - which is coming to Newport in 2027 - for families who might otherwise be unable to attend. Heledd Fychan MS, Plaid Cymru's spokesperson on the Welsh language and culture, said: "The importance of Eisteddfod yr Urdd to the Welsh language and culture cannot be understated. "The festival supports young people from across Wales to immerse themselves in the Welsh language and develop their language skills. "Eisteddfod yr Urdd has always, and continues to, play a prominent role in increasing not only the numbers of Welsh speakers but increasing the daily use of Welsh. "That is why a Plaid Cymru Government will ensure that the Eisteddfod can be enjoyed by all, by supporting free access to families from low-income backgrounds." Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025 has already seen a record 119,593 registrations and a 42 per cent increase in competitors who are Welsh learners. Ms Fychan said the figures highlight the festival's vital role in supporting the use of Welsh beyond the classroom and building confidence among new speakers. She said a Plaid Cymru government would prioritise continued backing for Urdd Gobaith Cymru and its work. Ms Fychan said: "Plaid Cymru remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting and growing the Welsh language, and the work undertaken by the Urdd is central to that vision. "Free entry for low-income families to Eisteddfod yr Urdd is something we have long campaigned for and would be funded by a future Plaid Cymru government."
Wales Online
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 third day winners confirmed
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The winners of the Bobi Jones Medal and the Welsh Learners Medal competitions at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro 2025, were announced yesterday (Wednesday). The Bobi Jones Medal (19-25 years old) was awarded to Joe Morgan from Cardiff and the Young Learners Medal (Yr.10 and under 19) to Lloyd Wolfe also from Cardiff. The Bobi Jones Medal and the Learners Medal acknowledges individuals who are committed to learning Welsh, who passionately promote the Welsh language and can hold a conversation in Welsh. The candidates were given several practical tasks on the Maes. The adjudicators for the Medals were Miriam Elin Jones and Elin Meek. The ceremony is sponsored by the National Centre for Learning Welsh who were also taking part in learner's activities on the Maes yesterday (Wednesday), on the day the Urdd celebrated new Welsh speakers at the Eisteddfod. The Bobi Jones Medal is awarded to an individual aged 19-25 who demonstrates their use of the Welsh language on a day-to-day basis by answering questions about their reasons for learning the language, the impact of learning Welsh has had on their lives, and their hopes for the future. Joe, who is from Cardiff, is a first-year student at Swansea University studying Journalism and Communications. He said: 'During my time at university, I've joined the Welsh Society to practise the language in a social setting and to experience more of the culture. 'I love making online videos in Welsh. I post shorter content on TikTok and Instagram, and longer videos on YouTube. I developed my passion for this during my time as a Coleg Cymraeg Ambassador, and I'm excited to continue my work with them this year. 'Overall, my journey learning Welsh has enabled me to appreciate and love the language and its culture, and I'm so grateful for every door the language has opened for me.' Joe's brother, Gwilym Morgan, was the winner of the Learners' Medal at Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2023 in Carmarthenshire. Susanna Power from Cardiff was awarded second place, with Deryn-Bach Allen-Dyer from Bro Morgannwg in third place. The Learner's Medal is awarded to a young person aged between 10 and under 19 who can demonstrate how they use the language on a day-to-day basis at school, college, or work and socially. (Image: Urdd 2025) Out of nine competitors, Lloyd Wolfe from Cardiff was the winner. Lloyd is studying A Levels in Music, English literature, Drama and Second Language Welsh at Cardiff West Community High School. Lloyd said: "In my spare time I enjoy composing music and attending Welsh gigs such as Tafwyl and Maes B. I feel that the Welsh Language has had such a huge impact on my life as I use it in every aspect of my life. I use Welsh with my friends and especially with my work as an ambassador for the Coleg Cymraeg - it is such a great opportunity to be able to work through the medium of Welsh." Alex McLean from Mynydd Isa was awarded second place and Georgia Jones from Flintshire in third place. The Bobi Jones Medal was given by Dysgu Cymraeg Ardal Bae Abertawe, and the Welsh Learner's is given Tŷ'r Gwrhyd - Canolfan Gymraeg Cwm Tawe. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
