Wrexham town centre was a hive of activities over the weekend as the Wrexham and District National Eisteddfod came to town, during its Proclamation Ceremony on Llwyn Isaf near the Guildhall.
Hundredas of people came to show their support and to join in the preparations for the Eisteddfod, which is held in Wrexham from 30 July – 6 August next year, joining the Gorsedd of the Bards, local schoolchildren and community leaders in a spectacular procession through the town, with many more watching on the sidelines.
With a busy performance stage showcasing local talents throughout the day, and all kinds of stalls and stands with a wide range of activities including trampolining, a climbing wall, face painting and much more happening close to the Gorsedd Stones, this was a day for the whole family, and a taster of what’s in store next year when one of the world’s greatest cultural festivals is held locally.
The highlight of the day was the Proclamation Ceremony, and this year’s event was of particular significance, as the new Archdruid, Jim Parc Nest, was officially enthroned. The Proclamation was his first responsibility as Archdruid, and he was enthroned by his deputy, Selwyn Iolen.
The main purpose of the traditional ceremony is to proclaim that the Eisteddfod will visit a local area in at least a year and a day, and this is when the list of competitions is also published, and is available to buy after the local Executive Chairman has presented the first copy to the Archdruid.
Hywel Wyn Edwards, Eisteddfod Organiser, said:
“We had a very successful day in Wrexham, with a great welcome, happy co-operation and wonderful weather. It was excellent to see so many local people joining us to show their support for the Eisteddfod, which will be held locally next year.
“I would like to thank everyone for their support, the local committees for all their work and commitment, and with the list of competitions now published, I’d like to wish everyone thinking of competing well, as they study what is, I hope, a varied and interesting list of competitions.
“Next year will be a very special year for us as the National Eisteddfod, as we will be celebrating 150 years in our current form, and I know that the Wrexham area is excited and looking forward to hosting what will be a very important Eisteddfod for us as an organisation.
“However, before next year, our focus now returns to south east Wales and to Blaenau Gwent and the Heads of the Valleys, where this year’s Eisteddfod will be held in four weeks time, and we’re calling on people from all over Wales to join us in Ebbw Vale from 31 July – 7 August for a week to remember.”
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.
