The 70th Eisteddfod was held at the Victoria Hall, Llanwrtyd Wells, following a two-year break.

The popular competition made a welcome return to the town on Saturday, September 24, after Covid-enforced absences in both 2020 and 2021.

Throughout the day, there was an excellent number of competitors in all sessions and a high standard maintained in the categories on display.

Again, this year a chairing ceremony was held during the evening session and the chaired bard was John Meurig Edwards of Brecon.

Mr Edwards had won the chair at Llanwrtyd on two other previous occasions. He had written a poem on the set title ‘Y Gystadleuaeth – The competition’ and had used the nom-de-plume of ‘Loge Las’ which is his native area in Cardiganshire between Pont-rhyd-y-groes and Ysbyty Ystwyth.

The second prize in this competition was awarded to Gaenor Mai Jones of Rhondda Cynon Taf and highly commended was Lorraine Voss of Llanwrtyd.

Mr Eifion Thomas of Llanelli was originally to have been the music adjudicator but due to illness was not able to attend. Mr Berian Lewis of Crosshands was fortunately able to come at short notice.

The task of literary adjudicator was undertaken by Glesni Euros Thomas of London who had previously been a faithful and excellent competitor at the Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod.

Mrs Val Loveridge of Beulah was the art adjudicator.

The accompanist for the morning session was Heather Davis, Beulah, and during the afternoon and evening sessions, the accompanist was Sian Gwawr Davies of Bridgend – repetiteur for Welsh National Opera.

The presidents for the morning session were Paul Newman and Vicky Melor of Charcroft Electronics – faithful and generous sponsors of the Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod for many years.

In the afternoon session, Mrs Annabelle Thomas of Cefngorwydd was the president – currently the oldest member of the Eisteddfod committee who celebrated her 100th birthday in June.

In her speech, Ms Thomas said how she could remember the golden age of the Eisteddfodau when an Eisteddfod would have been held in nearly every chapel and village, not only in this area, but throughout the whole of Wales.

She congratulated the committee members for their hard work and persistence in organising this annual event, ensuring that some of our old and best traditions are passed on to future generations.

The evening president was Eleri Davies of Sheffield, formerly of Cwm Irfon, Abergwesyn, who unfortunately was unable to be present due to illness. However, the chairman, Hywel Davies, read out a few words on her behalf during the evening. She made reference to her parents, the late Glyn and Mair Davies of Aberaeron, both of whom had worked diligently over many years making sure that the Eisteddfod was a well-organised and successful annual event.

Conductors were Gill Lloyd, Michelle Davies and Steve Mason, with Mr Elfed Jones unable to attend.

Stewards at this years’s Eisteddfod were Iwan Price, John Davies, Anwen Price, and Elin, Ioan, Elan and Alis Mabbutt.

Hywel Davies is chairman and treasurer of the Eisteddfod committee and Susan Price is the correspondence secretary.

A midday lunch for the adjudicators was kindly provided by the James family at the Drovers Rest, with refreshments provided in the hall by Delyth Jones, Gill Lloyd and Antoinette de Kleijn.

Present at the morning session was Cllr Peter James and also Jane Dodds MS, who was accompanied by David Chadwick, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Brecon and Radnor.

Towards the end of the Eisteddfod the chairman, Hywel Davies, thanked everyone who had contributed in any way towards the success of the event.

The cup, given by Dr Delyth Hurley, Cardiff, for the most outstanding competitor of the morning session, was won by Life Taranenko.

The cup, given by Charcroft Electronics Ltd for the most outstanding competitor of the afternoon session, was won by Ioan Joshua Mabbutt of Aberystwyth.

The Eileen Jones Memorial Cup, given by Jennifer and Janet for the youth choir competition, was won by Newbridge-on-Wye Primary School, with Franksbridge Primary School awarded the second prize.

The 2023 Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod will be held on Saturday, September 23.

The Eisteddfod will also hold their annual Christmas bingo this year on Friday, November 25 in the Victoria Hall, Llanwrtyd Wells.