LOCAL EISTEDDFODAU KICK-OFF TODAY MARKING 100 DAYS TO GO UNTIL NATIONAL

LOCAL EISTEDDFODAU KICK-OFF TODAY MARKING 100 DAYS

TO GO UNTIL NATIONAL

With 100 days to go until the Urdd National Eisteddfod, Eryri (Snowdonia) in Glynllifon near Caernarfon, thousands of children the length and breadth of Wales will begin the Eisteddfod journey today (Saturday, 25 February).

Over 200 Eisteddfodau Cylch (local, first round competition) are due to be held with the winners heading to the Regional, second round heat. There are also Art, Design and Technology judging sessions held in each area as well as Public Speaking competitions. It is estimated that over 35,000 children and young people will take part in the local Eisteddfodau with around 15,000 making it through to the Urdd National Eisteddfod. The Urdd National Eisteddfod will be held between 4 and 9 June 2012.

The Urdd depends on thousands of volunteers to organise, steward and administer the local and regional Eisteddfodau. One of the many volunteers who will be busy organising her local Eisteddfod is Sulwen Roberts, Secretary of the Urdd branch in the Nantlle area, where the National Eisteddfod will be held this year.

She said: “The next few weeks are going to be very busy and there are a few long days ahead. The Cylch Eisteddfod for Secondary School children will be held this Saturday and then it’s the junior school children who will take to the stage next Saturday for their Cylch Eisteddfod. It’s a real buzz to see so many children and young people taking part and it’s great to see them take winning and loosing in their stride.

“Hosting the Urdd National Eisteddfod is a great honour for us in this area and we can’t wait until June. I think it’s a relief to see the Eisteddfodau Cylch get underway as it means the National is getting closer and of course, the excitement is mounting,” said Sulwen, who has been Branch Secretary for almost 15 years.

At the beginning of the month, the Urdd National Eisteddfod announced its line-up of evening entertainment. On Friday, Saturday and Monday (1, 2 and 4 June) the area’s young people will take to the stage at Galeri, Caernarfon with a brand new show, Sbri! Sunday (3 June), will see tenor Rhys Meirion, comedian Tudur Owen, Côr Glanaethwy and many others take to the Pavilion stage for the gala Opening Concert and on Tuesday and Wednesday (4 and 5 June(, it will be the local children’s turn to impress as they give their interpretation of Snowdonia’s history through the ages in Ar Gof a Chadw (Stored in the Memory).

Ticket sales are up on last year and over 100 individuals have already registered to stay at the Eisteddfod’s official caravan site.

Aled Siôn, the Urdd National Eisteddfod’s Director said: “Things are moving apace as the National Eisteddfod approaches and the enthusiasm and support in the local area is incredible. Thousands of children and young people all over Wales are currently preparing for the Cylch and Regional Eisteddfodau taking place over the next six weeks. I’d like to wish them all well and thank all the teachers and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make sure they are all word, note and step perfect.

“By the same token, I’d like to thank all the volunteers who will be working hard to ensure the Eisteddfodau run smoothly the length and breadth of Wales.”