The 72nd Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod was held at the Victoria Hall on Saturday, September 28.

The event was well attended as always with a high standard of competitors maintained throughout the day.

The morning session, conducted by Mrs Gill Lloyd, former headteacher at Ysgol Dôlafon, saw the local children competing. The cup given by Dr Delyth Hurley, Cardiff, for the most outstanding competitor of the morning session, was won by Magi Gwen Davies, Beulah.

Iori Hughes, Llanwrtyd was the winner of the Foundation Phase Cup, given by Mrs Alison Underhill, a former teacher at Ysgol Dôlafon.

Mrs Andrea Moore, Llandovery, adjudicated the art, writing and handwriting competitions in the morning session.

Young people from the wider catchment area competed in the afternoon session with Mrs Elin Mabbutt conducting, and the standard was extremely high. The adjudicators, Esyllt Thomas of Mynachlog-ddu and Tudur Dylan Jones of Carmarthen, awarded the Charcroft Electronics Ltd Cup to Ioan Joshua Mabbutt, Aberystwyth, for the most outstanding competitor of the afternoon session. Charcroft Electronics Ltd have been generous sponsors of the Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod over many years.

The presidents at this year’s Eisteddfod were Mr Elfed Jones and Mr Bryn Davies. Mr Davies, who is a former headteacher at Ysgol Dôlafon, as president for the morning session, congratulated the committee members for their hard work and persistence in organising this annual event thus ensuring that some of our old and best traditions are passed on to future generations. Mr Jones, the evening president, unfortunately was not able to attend, but had sent on best wishes in the form of a letter, which was read out by the chairman, Hywel Davies.

At the evening session conducted by Steve Mason, Robert Jenkins won both the Champion Solo and Welsh Solo competitions which was quite an achievement in competitions of a high standard, while Elan Mari Mabbutt of Aberystwyth gained first prize in the Champion Solo Recitation. Gwyn Jones of Llanafan won the Hymn Tune Solo Over-60 with Ioan Joshua Mabbutt winning the Solo from a Musical as well as the Hymn Tune Solo 18-60.

Thanks go to Builth Wells Ladies Choir who were conducted by Ionwen Davies for supporting the Eisteddfod again this year. It was good to welcome Bechgyn Bro Taf choir with Richard Vaughan as their conductor to Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod for their first visit and congratulations to them on winning the choir competition.

Simon Lilly of Cefngorwydd was the winning bard who had written a poem entitled 'Miracle'.

Originally from Solihull, Warwickshire, Simon and his wife Sue have lived in Cefngorwydd for a decade. He and his twin brother, together with their parents, used to regularly holiday in this area. He was educated in Solihull and then onto Edinburgh University. After meeting Sue, they took up teaching and lecturing posts in Devon with occasional stints working in Japan. A renowned local artist, Simon regularly exhibits his work at the Llanwrtyd and District Heritage and Arts Centre. Simon is fascinated by the early poets of Wales such as Taliesin and draws his inspiration from such works as Llyfr Du Caerfyrddin / The Black Book of Carmarthen. Congratulations to both Simon and also Hannah Roberts of Cardiff who came second.

Special thanks go to accompanists Heather Davis and Jonathan Morgan.

Towards the end of the Eisteddfod, chairman Hywel Davies thanked everyone who had contributed towards the event’s success - the competitors; the sponsors; the conductors; the stewards; committee members and friends who served refreshments in the kitchen.

Next year’s Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod will be held on Saturday, September 27.

For further details please contact the secretary, Susan Price on 01591 610 303