Caerphilly will host an important celebratory event next week to mark the anniversaries of two of the county borough’s most historic occasions.
The event, to be held on Friday 26th February, will celebrate both the 60th anniversary of the National Eisteddfod being held in Caerphilly, and the birth of Evan James, the poet who composed the words to the Welsh National Anthem.
Cllr John Evans, Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council said, “I am delighted that two such historic and culturally significant occasions for our county borough are to be marked in this joint celebratory event.
By marking these occasions in this way, we are able to help ensure that knowledge and promotion of our rich heritage can continue for generations to come.”
Caerphilly County Borough Council and Caerphilly Town Council will jointly host the celebratory event, and would like to extent an invitation to those who were involved in the construction of the original Eisteddfod Gates in 1950.
Records show David Pugh, Kenneth Crumb, Ewart Jones, Beverley Whittingham, Aneurin Davies, Gwilyn Thomas and Mr A Butler as being involved in the construction of the original structure.
Both councils would be delighted to hear from any of the original construction team.
The Eisteddfod was held in Caerphilly in 1950, and was a particularly important occasion because it was the first time that the ‘All-Welsh Rule’ came into use. To mark the occasion, the headmistress of Caerphilly girls’ grammar school, Miss L.R Grant opened a set of ceremonial gates.
These gates have been carefully reconstructed on their original site on Crescent Road, using locally salvaged pennant sandstone, as a reminder of that historic occasion.
Evan James was born in 1809 in a cottage called ‘Bryn Golau’, which stood near the present location of Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall. Although Evan moved away from the town at the age of four, Caerphilly is very proud of the fact that this famous composer comes from this town.
