A week after launching the free ticket scheme, the National Eisteddfod has received applications for over 25% of the 10,000 free tickets available for the Maes on Sunday 1 August this year.
The scheme is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and aims to attract a new audience – local people, families and those who haven’t been to the Eisteddfod before – to visit to have a taste of the fun and activities available for children and people of all ages.
Elfed Roberts, National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, said:
“The free entry scheme for the Maes has grasped people’s imaginations over the past week, and we are delighted that so many local people have applied for tickets. This year’s Eisteddfod is in an area which hasn’t welcomed the Eisteddfod for many years, and we are delighted that 85% of the applications we have received have come from local people from Blaenau Gwent and the Heads of the Valleys, and that almost 70% of applications have come from people wishing to attend the Eisteddfod for the first time.
“We are also pleased to see so many applications coming from people who are not fluent Welsh speakers – over 85% of applications – and many more have shown an interest in finding out more about the language and how to learn Welsh. The National Eisteddfod is keen to leave a realistic legacy in this area, as in every other part of Wales which welcomes the festival, and part of this legacy is to increase interest in the language, encouraging people to use their Welsh or to learn the language.
“The free entry scheme shows us that there is real interest in the language locally and that people are also very keen to have a taste of what Wales’ foremost festival has to offer, and we very much hope that these people will return to the Eisteddfod later in the week and join us at future Eisteddfodau.
“We are sure that the scheme will become more popular over the coming weeks as the promotional campaign began. So far, we’ve only promoted the scheme online and in newspapers, and with 40,000 leaflets about to be distributed to all homes in Blaenau Gwent and a promotional campaign across the Valleys, with the support of the Welsh Language Board, it’s likely to become much busier over the next few days.”
Priority is given to applications from the Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys area until 1 May. People from all parts of Wales are able to apply for free tickets through the Eisteddfod website – www.eisteddfod.org.uk – or by ringing 08454 090 300 o3 08454 090 400, and we will process national applications from 1 May onwards if free tickets are still available.
Tickets for the Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod evening concerts are now on sale. Tickets can be ordered online – www.eisteddfod.org.uk – or by ringing the ticket office – 0845 122 1176. Order forms are also available in the information booklet, published at the end of the month and available across Wales.
All details will also appear in our regular newsletter, online and on our facebook page – www.facebook.com/eisteddfod. Register to receive the latest information, either online or by emailing [email protected].
The Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod is hel din The Works, Ebbw Vale from 31 July – 7 August. The Maes is convenient for visitors from all parts of Wales, with easy transport links from all main routes and regular public transport access. Forty minutes from the centre of Cardiff, Ebbw Vale is an hour from Swansea and two and a quarter hours from the Dolgellau area.
The festival attracts around 160,000 visitors every year, and is a travelling festival which alternates between north and south Wales. Entry to all daytime activities is free of charge for the price of a daily Maes ticket.
The Eisteddfod receives a grant from the Welsh Assembly Government through the Welsh Language Board. The Eisteddfod also receives funding from unitary authorities in Wales through its partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association. This year’s festival has received £300,000 from the Heads of the Valleys Regeneration Programme, to enable the Eisteddfod to visit the Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys area.
