Wales Feed

Llangollen 2013: day four

2013-07-16T14:47:07+00:00

Day four at the International Eisteddfod, and it's still a scorcher.

My day started with a Kurdish group of dancers dancing for me on Llangollen train station. The problem with most national dresses is that they're hot! They were real troupers though and went for it.

After that I went to the rehearsal for the evening concert, the Verdi Requiem. It was a chance for me to meet up with the soloists and some very old friends Miraslava Yordonova, Claire Rutter, Jonathan Lamalu and Gwyn Hughes Jones, all sounding cracking. I also managed to meet up with my wife who was playing in the orchestra.

A call then came: "Wynne, a group from India and the Kurdish group from the morning are dancing in the street. Get down there!" I dashed down and they were taking part in a street dancing competition. I feel like I might have been set up because no sooner had I arrived than I was part of the street dancing competition. Great atmosphere and great fun.

Back to the field then, to pre-record a piece for my BBC Radio Wales show which is going out live from the Eisteddfod. The piece was to meet up with Angharad Haraap to have a go at clog dancing.

I forgot my socks so it's bare feet in the wooden clogs - ouch. We attracted quite a crowd who I'm sure filmed it, so my humiliation will live for ever!

Tomorrow is my last day and I can honestly say I have had a fantastic week.

Llangollen 2013: day two

2013-07-11T12:59:26+00:00

Day two at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and the fun continues.

The morning started bright and early with some filming with the choir Colla Voce. Even with an Italian name the choir are actually from Johannesburg in South Africa.

Their conductor Henk Barnard had wanted to visit the festival in Llangollen since he was a young lad. They were fab, with so much energy in their singing and dancing. I loved it!

After that I was back up to base. This is the TV compound where the presenters and crew from the various shows hang out, while we're waiting to go to our next interview. This is where you all swap stories of the people you've met and have a good natter over who might win the different competitions.

My next interview was in Llangollen train station where I met the winner of the under 12 instrumental competition, 10-year-old double bassist Justin Mak from Hong Kong.

Justin has passed his grade 8 music exam and is working on his diploma - very impressive. I decided to ask him for a lesson on the bass. The result was I was hopeless and he laughed at me an awful lot.

Wynne Evans and Justin Mak

The youth choir of the world competition was announced next and won by Hail Mary the Queen Children's Choir from the Philippines. They were so excited that they actually ran over to me to do an interview and nearly knocked me off my feet. I hope that doesn't make it into the programme!

The concert this evening features Dame Evelyn Glennie, tenor Noah Stewart and harpist Claire Jones. I bumped into Noah in rehearsal and he was very much looking forward to making his debut at Llangollen.

Wynne Evans and Noah Stewart

Having seen them all rehearse I'm sure the audience are in for a cracking show. This tenor/presenter is off to buy some more sun cream to make sure I don't burn my head tomorrow!

Wynne Evans at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod: day one

2013-07-10T14:08:29+00:00

For the third year running I'm spending time at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod. I've been a pundit for the Choir of the World and last year I headlined my own concert year.

This year I'm co-presenting the BBC Wales highlights programme along with Sara Edwards, which goes out on Sunday evening at 7pm on BBC Two Wales.

Wynne Evans and Sara Edwards

Yesterday's highlight has to be the parade, where all the visiting groups walk through the town in a spectacle of vibrant colour and international noises. Derek the weatherman has been especially kind to us, although I have to be careful my little bald spot doesn't get burned and end up on TV on Sunday night looking like I have really high blood pressure!

The River Dee seems to be full of swimmers cooling off. I wander down to the river to film with a Jinggaswara, a choir from Indonesia, who sing to me in full national dress - quite an achievement under the midday sun.

Performers in Llangollen

The fantastic thing about Llangollen is that there is music filling the whole town, and choirs are giving impromptu performances whereever they fancy!

Back on the Eisteddfod field, I'm lucky enough to meet up with not one but four local male voice choirs: Brythoniaid, Cor Godre Aran, Rhos Orpheus and the Fron.

So I take the opportunity to fulfil my ambition to conduct Gwahoddiad, while they have a bit of downtime backstage. As someone once said to me, it doesn't matter how you sing in a concert as long as long as you give a really good AMEN!

Urdd memories

2013-05-27T07:01:08+00:00

During Whitsun week - 27 May to 1 June - the Urdd National Eisteddfod visits Boncath in Pembrokeshire.

The Urdd is one of Europe's biggest touring youth festivals, attracting 100,000 visitors a year. Over 15,000 children and young people will compete during the Eisteddfod week in a vast array of song, dance and performance-based competitions.

These 15,000 are the elite few, whittled down from over 40,000 competitors across Wales, winning their place following local, district and regional rounds.

The young Owen Williams takes centre stage at the 1990 Urdd

I began my performing career, much like hundreds of thousands of other Welsh-language educated schoolchildren, as a small child at local Eisteddfodau.

Ysgol Gynradd Pont Siôn Norton's headteacher in the early 1980s was a loud, passionate, blonde-bobbed wonderful woman named Dorothy Todd.

Each child admitted through the Victorian schoolyard gates would be run through Mrs Todd's performance mill. You were either a performer or you weren't. There didn't seem to be a middle ground.

I flew close to the wind; I was deemed a non-singer (infamous karaoke performances at the Drovers Arms in College Road, Carmarthen would later discredit that theory), but was discovered to have an ability to orate prose and poetry with enormous gusto.

I recall, with some clarity, the Urdd Eisteddfod regional heats, conducted in the mid-80s at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School. My father was a teacher at the school at the time, so I bore the confidence of a small person already attuned to the large parquet-floored hall. My rendition of Y Wiwer (The Squirrel) would surely be the stuff of legend.

I had not, somewhat unfortunately, reckoned on the thespian ability of my main competitor. Ysgol Gynradd Rhyd-y-Grug possessed a force of nature by the name of Iwan England (a surname that patently wouldn't wash with the adjudicators, I thought), who delivered that squirrely poetry with such verve as to render the audience agog.

Eight years old, and utterly distraught, I vowed to never forget that fateful day.

Comprehensive school was to be my moment in the sun.

After all, Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen had a formidable reputation for drama, particularly their famed annual rock operas, which ran for a week - two sell-out performances a day. Yes, Rhydfelen was the big ticket in the Valleys in the early 90s.

My confidence in our upcoming Urdd Eisteddfod success was bolstered by my Glee-esque lineup of new classmates - the aforementioned Iwan England, the golden-haired songbird Gwen Heulyn and the soaring vocal talents of Catrin Southall.

We had been grouped with other talented Rhydfelen students, not least a teenaged Daniel Evans, who would later win a glittering array of coveted acting prizes, from the Richard Burton Memorial Prize to the Laurence Olivier Award.

Our merry band was entered into a series of categories - among them the Cyflwyniad Llafar (Dramatic Vocal Presentation), Cân Actol (Musical Play) and the Choir.

We hurdled the regional heats with ease. Secondary schools in the area didn't even bother competing against us.

Our confidence was brimming.

The 1990 Urdd National Eisteddfod took place in Dyffryn Nantlle and Arfon. We stayed, as I recall, at a local leisure centre (yes, these were simpler times). I recall being asked what I'd like from the chip shop, and unable to remember the correct word for chicken in Welsh, requested "cockerel and chips."

We were bussed to the Eisteddfod preliminaries early one morning in readiness for the Cyflwyniad Llafar heat, from where we, and two other schools, emerged victorious.

We were close - we could smell the fear on our competitors' uniforms.

We'd been coached to within an inch of our lives, and we were flawless.

The main stage on the maes was all that stood between us, and glory.

Put simply, we were immaculate. We held the audience in the palms of our tiny hands.

It was an unparalleled victory.

In 1992, Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen cleaned up at the Urdd Eisteddfod.

We took it all, and then some.

As happy times go, there aren't many that compare to a hazy Whitsun week in early summer, leaving every single school in Wales floundering in your wake.

Round up: winners at the 2012 National Eisteddfod

2012-08-10T13:31:17+00:00

The National Eisteddfod continues on the old airfield at Llandow, near Cowbridge, until Saturday, with the prestigious Chair being awarded this afternoon in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Here’s a round-up of some of the winners so far:

Drama
Wiliam Bedwyr Rees from Llangefni, Anglesey, has won the Drama medal in his first time competing at a National Eisteddfod.

Bedwyr Rees, winner of the Drama medal

Rees' drama piece was influenced by the death of one of his friends two years ago. The story, of three friends growing up during the 1980s and 90s, references many important historical events of the period with music also being a key element, used to show the passing of time.

The sea is a constant presence in the play, which focuses on the end of friendship and belief, language and at the end, people.

Prose
It was announced on Wednesday that there will be no prose medal winner at this year’s National Eisteddfod, as it has been withheld by the adjudicators.

For this year’s medal entrants had been tasked with producing a volume of creative prose, of no more than 40,000 words, on the theme of migration.

Although eight volumes were received, the judging panel decided not to award the prize to any of the entrants.

Speaking on behalf of her co-adjudicators, Aled Islwyn and Fflur Dafydd, Gwerfyl Pierce Jones said, "After much deliberating and consideration, we came to the unfortunate conclusion that we had no choice but to withhold the Medal this year. By doing this in 2012, we hope to see a revival in this competition next year."

Daniel Owen Memorial Prize
Robat Gruffudd has won the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize for his unpublished novel Afallon.

Robat Gruffudd, winner of the 2012 Daniel Owen Memorial Prize

The Daniel Owen Memorial Prize is awarded for an unpublished novel of not less than 50,000 words with a strong story line. This year’s competition attracted six entries.

Gruffudd, from Talybont in Ceredigion, has previously won the award and has four published novels and one volume of poetry. He also collected a monetary prize of £5,000.

Crown
Much earlier in the week poet Gwyneth Lewis was awarded the Crown.

Lewis, under her bardic name of Y Frân, scooped the prestigious crown with her sequence of poems on the subject Ynys (Island). She beat off competition from 31 other entries to win the accolade.

Gwyneth Lewis, winner of the 2012 National Eisteddfod Crown

This year’s crown was designed by Penarth-based jeweller Anne Morgan, who was inspired by the landscape of the Vale of Glamorgan and has included elements such as the rocks and cliffs of the area in the simple but bold design.

You can watch a video of Anne making the crown on YouTube.

Lewis was the inaugural National Poet of Wales in 2005-06, and was also responsible for composing the words on the front of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. She became an Honorary Member of the Gorsedd in 2006.

Lewis’ translation of Shakespeare’s Tempest, Y Storm, will be performed by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru at this year’s Eisteddfod as part of the World Shakespeare Festival and the London 2012 Festival.

For the latest news from the Maes, visit bbc.co.uk/eisteddfod.

2012 Eisteddfod: Gold medal round-up

2012-08-07T12:46:06+00:00

Three gold medals in the categories of fine art, architecture and craft and design were awarded over the weekend at the 2012 National Eisteddfod, staged this year at Llandow in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Cardiff-based installation artist Carwyn Evans won the Gold Medal for Fine Art.

Evans, originally from Ceredigion, scooped the medal and the full monetary prize of £5,000. He has exhibited regularly at the National Eisteddfod since winning the Young Artist Scholarship in Llanelli in 2000.

Meanwhile, ceramist Anne Gibbs has scooped the gold medal for Craft and Design at the third time of asking. Gibbs, who lives and works in Cardiff, had previously exhibited her work at the 2008 and 2010 Eisteddfods in Cardiff and Blaenau Gwent.

The two artists were awarded their respective prizes by the Open Exhibition Selection Panel, comprising of artist Sean Edwards, textile artist Laura Thomas and Declan McGonagle, director of the National College of Art and Design in Dublin.

Sean Edwards said of Evans' work: "Carwyn Evans' latest body of work marks a significant shift in the artist's recent practice whilst holding steadfastly to its core concerns.

"Standing among the works you become aware of the process and skill of fabrication, the poetical importance of the abstracted and simplified markers of the agricultural machinery and life. But like all great art, Carwyn Evans' skill is in making work that can transcend one set of meanings, opening it out to encompass us all."

Laura Thomas said of Gibbs' pieces, "Anne Gibbs' elegant ceramic and found media assemblages demonstrate an enviable fluency for composition, colour and refinement of visual language. Her work is rooted in observing the natural world, with a judicious eye for celebrating overlooked natural detritus."

The judges also decided to Highly Commend Michael Cousin and André Stitt in the fine art category, and Bridgend textile artist Michelle Griffiths in craft and design.

The gold medal for architecture was also awarded over the weekend, with Cardiff-based HLM Architects receiving the accolade for their design of the Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School near Bridgend.

The medal is supported by the Design Commission for Wales and awarded in association with the Royal Society of Architects in Wales.

The Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School, Bridgend. Photograph Copyright Girts Gailans

HLM Architects beat off competition from 22 different architectural practices from across the UK. The selectors praised their scheme for being "a clear statement of how good design can help build a fantastic school community."

In addition to the gold medal another prize, the plaque of merit, is awarded to smaller projects achieving high design quality. This year’s plaque of merit was won by Chepstow architects, Hall + Bednarczyk, for a private residential home they designed in the Monmouthshire countryside.

An Architecture Scholarship of £1,500 was also jointly awarded at the Eisteddfod to promising younger designers Katherine Jones, 22, of Penarth, and Owain Williams, 23, of Treharris.

For the latest on the 2012 Eisteddfod visit BBC Newyddion and the official website, eisteddfod.org.uk.

National Eisteddfod calls for 2012 art entries

2012-01-16T12:14:49+00:00

Artists and makers in Wales are now able to submit their entries for the Open Exhibition at the 2012 National Eisteddfod.

This year's National Eisteddfod will be held in the Vale of Glamorgan between 4-11 August. Artists are now being encouraged to submit their entries for the exhibition, which is held each year in Y Lle Celf - the visual arts pavilion - and draws up to 40,000 visitors.

The exhibition is open to any person born in Wales, or of Welsh parents, or any person who has lived or worked in Wales for the three years prior to 4 August 2012, or any person who is able to speak or write in the Welsh language.

The Eisteddfod has invited art critic and director of the National College of Art and Design in Dublin Declan McGonagle, Cardiff artist Sean Edwards and applied artist and curator Laura Thomas of The Makers Guild in Wales to select this year's exhibition. The panel will also award the gold medal for fine art, the gold medal for craft and design plus the Young Artist Scholarship for excellence and commitment.

The closing date for entries is 1 March 2012.

For more information visit eisteddfod.org.uk. Browse the BBC Eisteddfod site for clips and highlights from last year's event in Wrexham, plus browse a gallery of images taken at last year's Y Lle Celf.

Jeweller Anne Morgan to design 2012 Eisteddfod crown

2011-11-29T14:44:31+00:00

Anne Morgan has been selected from a shortlist of Welsh artists to design one of the iconic prizes of the 2012 National Eisteddfod.

The Penarth-based jeweller will design the crown for next year's National Eisteddfod, which will be held in Llandow in the Vale of Glamorgan. The 2012 crown will be sponsored by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Anne said: "I'm extremely proud that my design has been selected for this year's crown. In fact, I feel a real 'ownership' of the Eisteddfod this year, especially as it is being held in the Vale of Glamorgan. I wanted the crown to represent exactly what I love about the Vale."

Anne Morgan with Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Gordon Kemp. Image courtesy of Vale of Glamorgan Council

Although the design details of the crown are being kept very much under wraps, the Vale of Glamorgan coastline will inspire her creation.

Anne added, "I haven't submitted a design for this calibre of commission before," she said. "It was a nerve wracking experience. So the fact that mine was chosen is fantastic. But knowing the makers of the crown who have gone before me, it's quite a daunting experience."

The crown is awarded to the winning bard at the welsh cultural event of the year. This year it was won by Geraint Lloyd Owen.

For clips and highlights from this year's Eisteddfod browse the BBC Wales Eisteddfod website, and for the latest news ahead of the 2012 event, browse the official website, www.eisteddfod.org.uk.

Eisteddfod round-up

2011-08-08T12:26:47+00:00

With a week of competing at the National Eisteddfod done and dusted for another year, let's take a look back at the highlights from the week.

Monday

Monday saw the first of the major ceremonies of the week with the Crowning. The title was taken by Geraint Lloyd Owen of Bontnewydd near Caernarfon, who had come close many times and his brother has won the chair twice.

The expectation of a Crown/Chair double was put on his shoulders as soon as the Crown was placed on his head. Could Wrexham see another double?

Winner of the Crown - Geraint Lloyd Owen

Tuesday

The Daniel Owen Memorial Prize, for the best unpublished novel, was given out on Tuesday to Daniel Davies from Penbontrhydybeddau, Ceredigion for his novel Tair Rheol Anhrefn.

Daniel Davies, winner of the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize

Wednesday

History was made on Wednesday at the Prose Medal ceremony, when the Archdruid Jim Parc Nest awarded the prize to his wife, Manon Rhys of Cardiff. The medal was awarded for a volume of creative prose, of no more than 40,000 words, on the subject of 'conflict'. After the procession left the stage towards the Maes, they were seen holding hands.

The Archdruid and his wife Manon Rhys, winner of the Prose Medal hold hands after the ceremony.

Thursday

The Drama Medal was awarded on Thursday. The ceremony was not as big as on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and there have been calls for the award to have the same importance as the Chair, Crown and Prose medal.

Rhian Staples from Swansea took away the award for her play, based about two people who met on a suicide website.

Rhian Staples shows off her Drama Medal.

The Welsh Learner's prize was also awarded to Kay Holder. To hear a interview with her on Radio Wales, go to our Audio and Video section.

Friday

Tension mounted before the Chairing ceremony. With Wrexham's habit for producing double winners, who would take the title?

As a young man stood in the crown it became clear that a double was not on the cards, but that a crowd favourite had stood up. The Archdruid announced that Rhys Iorwerth, originally from Caernarfon and now living in Cardiff, was the winner.

The Archdruid congratulates Rhys on his accomplishment.

With the Eisteddfod over for another year, we look forward now to next year's at the Vale of Glamorgan. See you there!

Amen to the Eisteddfod

2011-08-06T09:22:55+00:00

Well, it was my last day at the Eisteddfod yesterday and the busiest to date.

I made it back in one piece from Maes B, the youngsters' field, although they did seem inclined to sing the words of a certain advert at me when ever I asked a question…

The day started with a walk around the Maes and who did I spot but the Wales coach, Gary Speed! I asked him how I might make the leap from Welsh Anthem Singer to Welsh Player…He seemed to stare at me for a bit before saying with a cheeky smile…'I think it would take a bit of time'. On reflection, I must come to terms with the fact that my hopes of an international cap are well and truly over.

Gary Speed & Wynne Evans

Some more filming around the Maes followed and the crew were in good spirits at the thought of not having to follow me around after the day was over! We had the usual team curry at lunch time- something I really recommend if you find yourself on the Eisteddfod field.

After a tearful farewell to the guys in the curry van, the crew and I went off to the Stiwt in Rhos to hear a sing-song with a couple of local male voice choirs. You know what, you really can't beat a good AMEN!

My final job of the day was to put all the voiceovers onto the programme ready for transmission. The programme, 'Eisteddfod 2011 with Wynne Evans' will be broadcast on BBC2 at 5:25pm this Sunday. At thirty minutes long, it'll show only a fraction of the fun I've had this week.

This is my last blog for the BBC from the Eisteddfod and I really would like to thank my Crew and all of the BBC guys both up here on the Maes and in Cardiff for making this one of the most enjoyable week's work I've had in a long time. So until next year lovely people, Hwyl Fawr!

Chairing ceremony 2011

2011-08-05T15:30:43+00:00

Wrexham Eisteddfodau have a strange habit of producing double winners. TH Parry Williams in 1912, and Donald Evans in 1977, both won the Crown and the Chair at Wrexham. Amazingly, they both completed the double twice in their careers. Could Geraint Lloyd Owen join their illustrious company?

This year the Chair is offered for a poem, or a series of poems in full cynghanedd (strict metre) not exceeding 250 lines on the topic 'Boundary'.

The National Eisteddfod for Wales Wrexham and District Chair

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16:36 - For the final time this week the state trumpet is sounded to call the gorsedd procession into the pavilion led by the herald bard, followed by the bards/druids in their white robes. Each colour denotes a particular rank. The procession is made up of poets, writers, musicians, artists and people that have made a distinct contribution to the Welsh nation, language and culture.

Robin o Fôn, best known as Robin McBride the rugby player and the keeper of the sword walks with the sword of peace.

16:40 - The Archdruid brings our attention to 3 chairs that appear on the stage. T.H.Parry Williams' chair from 1912, the first to win the double (the Crown and the Chair), Donald Evans' chair from 1977. Both of them winning at the Wrexham Eisteddfod. And the 2011 chair soon to be awarded (hopefully!).

16:44 - The trumpeters, Dewi Corn a Paul Corn Cynan sound the state trumpet four times for all four corners of the pavilion to stand, followed by Mei Plas offering the gorsedd prayer.

This year's chair was created by Dilwyn Jones following a creative input from students at Glyndwr University, Wrexham.

16:48 - The Archdruid invites the three adjudicators, Emyr Lewis, Donald Evans and Gruffydd Aled Williams on to the stage, with the adjudication being delivered by Emyr Lewis on behalf of his fellow adjudicators.

Donald Evans won the double when the Eisteddfod was last held in Wrexham in 1977.

16:59 - The Archdruid thanks the adjudicators and when the state trumpet sounds asks that 'Penrhynwr' and only 'Penrhynwr' to stand. The lights dim in the Pavilion and a spotlight searches the audience for the winner.

A man stands in the crowd.

A man stand in the crowd.

17:01 - 'Penrhynwr' makes his way to the stage.

'Penrhynwr' makes his way to the stage.

17:03 - The Archdruid announces the bard to be Rhys Iorwerth of Cardiff.

The Archdruid announces the bard to be Rhys Iorwerth of Cardiff.

17:07 - The sword of Peace is raised above his head before the Archdruid asks the audience three times 'Is there peace?' before asking the newly appointed bard to sit in

17:11 - The chairing song is sung by Huw Euron followed by the flower dance and the Welsh National Anthem.

Rhys Iorwerth looks on.

17:13 - The bard is greeted by Tudur Hallam, last year's Chair winner and Tegwyn Jones.

17:17 - The masters of the court present the horn of plenty where they are offered to drink welcoming wine from the district.

The masters of the court present the horn of plenty where they are offered to drink welcoming wine from the district.

A floral tribute of wild Welsh flowers is now presented by the maids of the court.

The Archdruid congratulates Rhys on his accomplishment.

17:21 - The Archdruid brings the procession to a close with the Welsh National Anthem.

As the procession leaves the stage and the pavilion Sian Aman, who has be Meistress y Gwisgoedd (Mistress of the robes) for 27 years, takes a bow as it's her final time in the role. She is clearly emotional.

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To watch the Chairing ceremony again, as well as highlights from the rest of the competitions, you can go to the Results section on our Eisteddfod site.

Caravans, colds and clowns at the Eisteddfod

2011-08-04T14:22:02+00:00

Well it's official - I have my first Eisteddfod cold, which has been proven is much more devastating for a man than a woman so I require much sympathy and coffee.

I saw into Jeremy Clarkson's nightmare last night when I went to a field with 750 caravans in it. There was a great atmosphere up there and everyone seemed to be in and out of each others' caravans, kids playing football, the smell of sausages filling the air. And, of course, in the land of song there's plenty of singing to be done.

Today my children are on the Maes with me and, as the saying goes, if the kids are happy then I'm happy. So first off we went to the BBC tent and we were met by Cariad the clown. Again I seemed to end up with ridiculous headwear - this time a balloon hat!

Wynne Evans wearing his balloon hat

Then it was off to have our picture taken against the green screen and instantly my children and I became Doctor Who's assistants! I have to be honest I had aspirations of becoming the next Doctor, but I'll settle for the assistant. I'm not sure the dress will fit me but I'll give it a go.

I am slightly envious of Sian Lloyd from BBC News as she seems to have spent the whole day being pampered by the students of Yale university, having her nails done and suchlike, but I bite mine so I'm not sure I'll be welcome.

Derek the weather man assures me that tomorrow will be a brighter day here. Still, my wellies will get an airing this afternoon as I am about to take my life in my hands, turn back the clock and go to Maes B the youth field. No matter how hard I try I'm sure I will still look like someone's dad dancing.

Just a quick mention to my lovely crew up here: Gareth our cameraman who is a member of the Gorsedd, Llewela who looks after us stupendously, Aled who seems to carry everything, Ellen our ever-energetic director, and Gizz our soundman whose phone went off during a take yesterday and we will NEVER EVER let him forget it!

Eisteddfod - Prose Medal ceremony 2011

2011-08-03T15:20:00+00:00

Yo can watch the ceremony again on our results page, as well as get the latest news and results from our Eisteddfod site.

The Medal is offered for a volume of creative prose, no more than 40,000 words. The subject set this year was 'Conflict'.

16:30 - The trumpet is sounded to call the gorsedd procession into the pavilion lead by the herald bard.

Followed by the druids in their white robes. Each colour denotes a particular rank. The procession is made up of poets, writers, musicians, artists and people that have made a distinct contribution to the Welsh nation, language and culture.

Robin o Fôn, best know as Robin McBride, the keeper of the sword walks with the sword of peace.

The Archdruid Jim Parc Nest leads the procession into the Pavilion to begin the ceremony.

16:34 - Gareth Williams is invited to the stage by the Archdruid who is representing friends from abroad.

16:40 - The trumpeters , Dewi Corn and Paul Corn Cynan sound the 'Corn Gwlad' four times followed by Sara Lian Owen offering the gorsedd prayer.

16:44 - The Archdruid invites the three adjudicators on to the stage, with the adjudication being read out by Grahame Davies.

Adjudicator Grahame Davies

The three adjudicators are Grahame Davies, Hazel Walford Davies and Branwen Jarvis.

16:51 - The Archdruid thanks the adjudicators and when the state trumpet sounds will 'Sitting Bull' and only 'Sitting Bull' to stand.

16:53 - A lady stands in the audience.

A lady stands in the crowd.

The mistress of the robes dresses the winner and escorts Sitting Bull to the stage.

The Archdruid asks for the orsedd and the audience to sit.

Sitting Bull is announced to be Manon Rhys.

The Archdruid gives some background on Manon's life before revealing her to be his wife!

17:00 - The sword of Peace is raised above Manon's head before the Archdruid asks the audience three times 'A oes heddwch?' ('is there peace?') before asking the winner to sit in the peace of the Eisteddfod.

The sword of Peace is raised above Manon's head.

Manon is presented with her winning medal and the first copy her work.

Manon presented with her winning medal.

17:05 - A Song is sang by Dafydd Gwnws followed by a poem read by Mererid Hopwood.

17:07 - The Bro Taf dancers pay tribute to Manon.

17:11 - The Archdruid brings the procession to a close with the Welsh National Anthem.

Prose Medal Winner - Manon Rhys

17:13 - The procession leaves the stage and the pavilion.

Wrexham Mess at the Eisteddfod

2011-08-03T14:55:53+00:00

Well it's the morning after the night before. The concert went well and I didn't fluff my Welsh words - phew!

To give a quick run down of the concert, I danced with the soprano, then I danced with the conductor. I seemed to make a zillion costume changes (including a change into my moustachioed alter ego) and my new red boots made their debut. You'll have to watch the TV show to see those!

On my way to the sound check I bumped into the Eisteddfod chair and couldn't resist getting a quick picture, but apparently I'm not allowed to tell anyone...

After a quick sleep I was back on the Maes to continue filming the programme for BBC Two. We started with a cookery demonstration with fellow Carmarthener Nerys Howells, and the director insisted that I wear the full chef's outfit for maximum embarrassment.

We cooked local Chirk hot smoked salmon with an avocado salsa - totally delicious. This was followed by Wrexham mess which bore an uncanny resemblance to Eton mess, but I kept schtum.

Then onto the learners' tent and to a new idea of learning Welsh whilst hula hooping. Well after that all I can really say is my Welsh has a way to go but the hoola hooping fitness video will be out for Christmas.

Tonight I take my first steps into the caravan field. From what I've been told it's a bit wild. This may be the last you hear of me...

For live footage and all the latest news, results and features from the National Eisteddfod visit the BBC's website.

Muggy at the Maes

2011-08-03T12:09:12+00:00

It's another busy day on the Maes and I am sat at my computer wishing I'd worn my shorts! It's warm in Wrexham and feels very muggy or 'trymaidd' in Welsh.

Temperatures here this afternoon should reach 23 Celsius, 73 Fahrenheit with a light breeze. Plenty of cloud and a little sunshine at times.

If you don't like the muggy conditions, there is a change on the way with tomorrow's chart showing low pressure over the UK with fronts bringing moisture and rain.

Once the rain clears, though, it will turn fresher with Atlantic air bringing a drop in temperature and humidity. So, tomorrow we'll see rain and drizzle in the morning, clearing to a much drier afternoon. Temperatures 17 to 20 Celsius with a light to moderate breeze.

Friday looks mainly dry with a few bright or sunny intervals, the wind falling light. Latest thoughts on the weekend are for a mixture of sunny intervals and showers on Saturday.

Sunday more showers or longer spells of rain. Some of the showers heavy with thunder. The wind picking-up, especially on the south and west coast and feeling cool.

Next week looks unsettled and breezy with temperatures below average. We'll see further showers but also some drier, brighter spells too.

Right, I'm off to prepare for the lunchtime weather on Wales Today. Apparently I'm going to be digging myself out of a hole, using a mechanical digger outside the science pavilion!

Cofion Cynnes

Derek