WELL over 1,500 people flocked to Cardigan on Saturday (June 29) to celebrate the coming of the National Eisteddfod to Ceredigion from August 1-8 next year.

Hundreds of children from all parts of the county joined the celebrations, creating banners especially for the event before joining local societies and organisations and the Gorsedd, to announce the coming of the Eisteddfod to Tregaron next year.

The town’s streets were packed as local residents and tourists alike joined in the celebrations, before the procession returned to the fields at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi for the official ceremony, with mist swirling around the site.

Saturday’s ceremony also saw the Gorsedd welcome the new Archdruid, Myrddin ap Dafydd, who succeeded Geraint Llifon for the period from 2019-22.

Welcoming the Eisteddfod’s visit to the county and to the outskirts of Tregaron next year, he said, “Thank you for being welcomed as Wales’ Archdruid here in Cardigan. Next year, Tregaron – for a week – will be the capital of Wales.

“Every road will lead to Tregaron... to Tregaron, Ceredigion. Knowing the people of Ceredigion pretty well, I’m sure the preparations will be generous, thorough and warm. It will be our privilege and pleasure to be on every road leading to Tregaron.”

This year’s ceremony was different to previous years as Richard and Wyn Jones from popular local band Ail Symudiad performed their latest song welcoming everyone to Ceredigion, in their own Gorsedd costumes within the Gorsedd Circle.

This was the first time for an electric guitar to be played in a live performance during the Proclamation ceremony, and it was welcomed by the audience.

The preparatory work started almost a year ago, with a fantastic team of volunteers of all ages involved in all aspects of the work. Saturday was the culmination of the first chapter with the publication of the List of Competitions, which sold particularly well on the day and is now available on-line and in shops across Wales from the beginning of the week.

The eyes of Wales will turn back to north Wales and to Conwy for the next few weeks, as the Conwy County National Eisteddfod fast approaches. Held on the outskirts of Llanrwst from August 3-10, the new Archdruid will lead his first ceremonies on the Pavilion stage on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.

For more information on the Eisteddfod, go online, www.eisteddfod.wales.