Where to go and what to see? Here are Eryl Crump's Saturday highlights
And we’re off! After months of preparation, the gates to the Wrecsam National Eisteddfod open today, kicking off eight days of lively competitions, endless discussions, and joyful socialising.
Start your day at the Pavilion, where the brass band competitions for Sections 2 and 3 begin at 09:30. This year, six bands will perform self-selected programmes of no more than 15 minutes, all vying for the prestigious Ivor Jarvis Cup.
At 14:05, listen out for fresh interpretations of Ar Hyd y Nos or Dashenka by Islwyn Ffowc Elis in the “In a New Light” competition. Contestants will accompany themselves on an instrument of their choice. This event has a special local connection—both Islwyn Ffowc Elis and John Ceiriog Hughes, author of Ar Hyd y Nos, were raised in the Ceiriog Valley.
The Eisteddfodau Cymru choral competition begins at 14:30 and is a firm favourite. Choirs of 20 or more voices will present a 10-minute programme of their choosing, including a piece by a Welsh composer.
At 10:30, local school pupils give a warm welcome at the official opening of the Literature Tent. Children from across the county have taken part in creative writing workshops exploring their local areas, led by Buddug Watcyn Roberts and Rhian Cadwaladr.
Later, at noon, the multi-talented Stifyn Parri presents new poems and songs by local poets, followed by the final round of BBC Radio Cymru’s poetry series Y Talwrn, sure to draw a big crowd. Which team will come out on top this year?
Throughout the week, top Welsh performers will appear at Tŷ Gwerin. Tonight at 18:00, enjoy the lyrical magic of Eve Goodman, and at 21:00, Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion will close the first day with a full set.
The Eisteddfod has visited Wrexham many times before, and Aled Lewis Evans will share its history in a fun presentation at the Tipi in Maes D at 14:30. Staying local, the first of several sessions celebrating regional writers and musicians takes place at Encore at 19:30, where Trystan Lewis will remember three musicians from Rhosllannerchrugog: Caradog Roberts, GW Hughes, and baritone Meirion Morris.
Parents looking for fun activities for the kids will find plenty on the Maes this year. Head to Lloeren in the Science and Technology Village at 10:00 for a daily half-hour challenge to design a character using tech and Lego.
The Children’s Village is packed with fun again this year—learn circus skills, build dens in the woods, roast marshmallows, and enjoy the Stwnsh Show in the Village Square. And of course, no Eisteddfod would be complete without a tug of war!
Y Lle Celf, the largest exhibition of its kind in Wales, offers a special programme this year, with guided tours throughout the week—the first one starts at 11:00 today.
At 15:00, Melda Lois, a musical artist from Bala, will perform an acoustic set at the Paned o Gê stand, hosted by Mas ar y Maes.
As night falls, one of Wales’ brightest stars, Elin Fflur, takes to the Maes Stage at 19:20. The versatile artist and presenter from Anglesey blends pop and soul in her performances. Then at 21:00, catch the iconic group Diffiniad—a rare live performance you won’t want to miss to close the first night of the festival in Wrecsam.