Eryl Crump - 9 Aug 2024

And far too soon we’ve reached the final day of the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod 2024

But it's another full day on the Maes with a special treat at the end of the day.

Siân Phillips, one of the best known actors in Wales, chats to Steffan Donnelly, artistic director at Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru about her life and career in the world of performance and the spoken word.

The actress last came to the National Eisteddfod Maes in Maldwyn nine years ago, as she was being filmed for the genealogy programme 'Coming Home'.

She recited the poem 'Baled y Pedwar Brenin' by Cynan, which is the piece she recited when she won at the Rhosllannerchrugog National Eisteddfod in 1945. Come over to the Literary Pavilion at 11:00.

There’s a chance to congratulate winners of the Eisteddfod's music section composition competitions today. There’s a live performances of some of the winning compositions and chance to find out what motivated the composers to compete. Come along to help us celebrate with the winners at noon.

Singer Heather Jones's first album, 'Mae'r Olwyn yn Troi', was published 50 years ago and the occasion will be celebrated at Tŷ Gwerin. 

Hear performances of songs from the album, enjoy a few stories and memories from Heather from her long and successful career with Dafydd Iwan, Sioned Mair, Siân Jones, Casi Wyn and Mari Mathias. 

To mark the milestone, Sain is re-releasing a vinyl version of the album especially for the Eisteddfod. The session starts at 13:30.

Today’s main ceremony, the Composer's Trophy ceremony takes place in the Pavilion at 18:30.

Comedians Priya Hall and Leila Navabi chat about their careers in the comedy industry, writing stand-up and comedy on radio and television. 

Both had great success with their shows at last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Priya toured with her show 'Grandmother's Daughter'.

Priya has also appeared on various television programs and her writing credits include contributions to the BBC Three sitcom 'Bad Education'. Head over to Paned o Gê at 13:00 to hear from them.

There’s a lecture by Gerallt Pennant, a progressive member of the Welsh Mountaineering Club, about his campaign over 30 years climbing the Munros - the 282 peaks over 3,000 feet. 

Gerallt comes from Eifionydd but he taught at Ysgol Gymraeg Ynys-wen, Cwm Rhondda before moving to work for the media. He’s now a familiar face on programs such as 'Heno' and 'Prynhawn Da' and his weekly programme, 'Galwad Cynnar', on Radio Cymru has inspired generations of listeners. The lecture is held in Societies 2 at 10:30.

Throughout the Eisteddfod the masterpiece of Evan and James James, the author and composer of 'Hen Wlad fy Nhadau', our national anthem, has been celebrated in an ambitious project. The project was described as a "big jigsaw". 

Local voices have been recorded and interwoven with the music of the anthem to create a special sound environment that will be heard in the woods on the Maes, leading to a grand finale on the Pavilion stage.

Local poets were commissioned to collaborate on a new musical work by Eilir Owen Griffiths with a combination of musicians from Sinfonia Cymru and the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and an ensemble of singers from various musical genres. 

Come to the Pavilion at 19:30 for a fitting end to a fantastic week at the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod.