Calon Lan Centre hosts Regional Schools “Eisteddfod”

On 20th March, 2019, the Calon Lan Centre at Mynyddbach Chapel was pleased to host the Swansea regional cluster for the national Eisteddfod.

The Eisteddfod is an annnual event that is organised and run by Urdd Gobaith Cymru (aka Urdd). This organisation was established in 1922 and is a Welsh youth organisation all over Wales. it’s purpose is to work with children and Young people from between the ages of 5 and 25 years old.

There are around 16 different offices in Wales and the local region covers West Glamorgan (Swansea and Neath Port Talbot).

Within this region/area, Urdd provides a variety of activities and events throughout the academic year for Primary schools, Comprehensive schools and colleges, English and Welsh.

The organisation’s goal is to develop their skills and enjoyment of the Welsh language in a different environment outside of the classroom. According to Urdd; “We provide youth clubs, sports clubs, sports competitions, trips (day trips and over night trips), school clubs etc and of course the Eisteddfod, which is the event we were holding last week (20th of March)”.

The Eisteddfod is similar to a big festival where children and young people compete in a variety of competitions, from recitation to singing and instrumental to dancing and acting.

Each region is split into clusters. There are 5 clusters within the region of West Glamorgan. Each cluster have their own Eisteddfod at the start of March and then the winners from the 5 clusters compete in the regional Eisteddfod at the end of March. Then, the winners from the regional Eisteddfod represent the West Glamorgan region in the National Eisteddfod during Whitsun half-term. 

What a great event it was!