Eirlys Britton from Cardiff, is the winner of this year’s Sir T.H. Parry-Williams Memorial Medal.
The Medal is presented annually to an individual who has contributed widely within their local community with a particular emphasis on working with young people.
Eirlys receives the medal for her tireless work in the Pontypridd area for over thirty years. Originally from Cardiff, Eirlys was one of the first pupils at Ysgol Rhydfelen in Pontypridd before graduating in Drama from Trinity College, Carmarthen. She was an enthusiastic and influential teacher at Ysgol Heol y Celyn near Pontypridd before joining the cast of Pobol y Cwm portraying Beth Leyshon for a number of years.
Eirlys is probably best known for her work within the folk dancing world, and her intereststems from her period as a young teacher at Heol y Celyn, where she was also a successful recitation coach (first and second language Welsh), dancing and action songs. This interest led to the creation of Dawnswyr Nantgarw in 1980 with her work colleagues and parents from the school.
The highly successful folk dancing group has won the main prize at the National Eisteddfod thirteen times, and the dancers have also won numerous prizes and awards in other competitions over the years, including the Pan-Celtic Festival, the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and the world flk dancing competitions in Mallorca. Eirlys also created the ‘Dawnswyr Nantgarw Bach’ group, for young people, and this is the first group ever to win the youth dancing competition at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
Eirlys’ aim in creating Dawnswyr Nantgarw was to resurrect some of the old traditions and dances of the Taff Valley and Glamorgan, and to include young people, both Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers. Dance proved the perfect medium to bridge across language and social barriers, and was also an opportunity to nurture young musicians, encouraging them to join the experienced musicians at Dawnswyr Nantgarw, offering opportunities and memorable experiences, whilst promoting traditions and representing their country.
Eirlys was also responsible for creating the dance now seen during one of the main ceremonies on the National Eisteddfod Pavilion stage. The dance seen on Wednesday afternoon during the Prose Medal ceremony is an opportunity for young people from the catchment area to showcase their talents on the Pavilion stage and to attend the Eisteddfod.
Her contribution to the cultural life of her area – and to Wales as a whole – is extremely valuable, and epitomises the aims and values of the Sir T.H.Parry-Williams Memorial Trust, and she, therefore, fully deserves to receive this year’s Medal.
Sir T.H.Parry-Williams was a great supporter of the National Eisteddfod, and in August 1975, following his death a few months earlier, a trust was set up to celebrate his invaluable contribution to Eisteddfod activities. The fund is administered by the Sir Thomas Parry-Williams Trust.
Eirlys will receive the Medal on the Pavilion stage during the Vale of Glamorgan National Eisteddfod, held at the old airfield in Llandow between Cowbridge and Llantwit Major from 4-11 August this year. For more information on the National Eisteddfod go to www.eisteddfod.org.uk.
