Schools in Torfaen are preparing for next year’s national Urdd Eisteddfod, which will be held in Gwent.
Eisteddfod yr Urdd Bro’r Wenynen Gwent will feature over 400 art and cultural competitions and is expected to attract more than 100,000 entries from across Wales. The festival will take place at Tredegar House in Newport between 29 May and 3 June 2027.
This week, 10 English-medium speaking schools interested in taking part met with members of the Urdd Eisteddfod at Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran, with another four keen to participate alongside the borough’s Welsh-medium schools.
Deputy headteacher Catrin Passmore said: “We’re really excited the Urdd Eisteddfod is coming to our region – it’s a great opportunity for children and young people from all schools to be immersed in Welsh culture and tradition, whether they speak the language or not.
“We’d love all our schools to take part and to bring back lots of medals! There’s lots of help available for children who want to perform in Welsh, as well as Welsh learners and other competitions where spoken Welsh is not required.
“We’re looking forward to representing Torfaen and can’t wait to perform alongside other local schools!”
The Urdd Eisteddfod is Wales’s biggest annual youth festival and includes singing, reciting, performing and dance competitions, as well as alternative categories such as cooking, hair and beauty and stand-up. The name Bro’r Wenynen means Land of the Bee, in honour of Lady Llanofer, who was known as the Gwent Bee because she worked so hard to promote Welsh language and traditions.
Preliminary heats will be held between February and March. This year’s Pontypool Eisteddfod, organised by Pontypool Community Council, will also include Eisteddfod categories.
Schools will be holding fundraising events over the next few months to help with the cost of hosting the event. Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran will hold a Night with Elvis at the White Hut in Coed Eva on 16 October. Tickets cost £12.50; contact Catrin Passmore at Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbrân.
Urdd membership costs £13.50 per person for the year. Tickets for the main event in Whitsun Week go on sale in the spring.
