Wales’s largest celebration of language and culture will bring eight days of competitions, music and activities to north Pembrokeshire

THOUSANDS of visitors are expected in Llantwd this weekend as Eisteddfod Genedlaethol y Garreg Las gets underway.

The National Eisteddfod will run from Saturday, August 1, until Saturday, August 8, bringing together communities from Pembrokeshire, south Ceredigion and west Carmarthenshire.

Named after the distinctive bluestone associated with the area, this year’s festival will celebrate the language, traditions, food, music and heritage of all three counties.

Alongside the main competitions and ceremonies, the three local authorities will work together at Pentre’r Garreg Las on the Maes, where visitors can attend live performances, talks, demonstrations, cooking sessions and children’s activities.

The programme begins on Saturday afternoon with Emyr Phillips exploring the history of the Cardi Bach railway, which once linked Whitland and Cardigan and played an important role in communities along the route.

On Sunday, children from 50 primary schools across the three counties will perform Croeso i Fro’r Garreg Las. The National Wool Museum will also stage a family show exploring the history of Wales’s woollen industry.

Further events during the week include a discussion about regional dialects, a celebration of local food with writer Carwyn Graves and live cooking demonstrations from Lisa Fearn.

Community groups will discuss the monitoring of west Wales’s rivers and coastline, while representatives from the three counties’ Public Services Boards will take part in a discussion about wellbeing across the Garreg Las region.

Musicians from Ysgol Bryngwyn in Llanelli will perform on the Friday, with activities and competitions continuing across the Maes throughout the week.

Carmarthenshire County Council leader Cllr Linda Evans said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this year’s National Eisteddfod.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Welsh language, culture and our communities while showcasing Carmarthenshire.

“I would encourage everyone to visit the Eisteddfod and experience all it has to offer.”

Transport for Wales will operate a free, wheelchair-accessible shuttle service between Carmarthen railway station and the Maes.

The TrawsCymru T5 service will also travel directly to the Eisteddfod from Cardigan and Fishguard. Passengers travelling from Carmarthen can use the 460 service to Cardigan before changing for the T5 or a shuttle bus.

Drivers are being advised to follow the yellow Eisteddfod signs rather than relying solely on satellite navigation.

Eisteddfod y Garreg Las takes place in Llantwd from August 1 to 8. (Eisteddfod Wales)

Picture caption:

Crowds at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham in 2025. Picture: Carmarthenshire County Council/supplied.

Cllr Joshua Beynon says he remains active in his ward and has made only normal-length visits to see his Portuguese partner

A PEMBROKE DOCK councillor has rejected claims that he spent six months living in Portugal while continuing to represent his ward.

The row began after posts circulated on social media questioning Cllr Joshua Beynon’s whereabouts and calling for him to resign from Pembrokeshire County Council.

A post shared by the Voice of Wales account stated: “Just wanted to understand how you can be a county councillor and live in Portugal six months of the year.

“Not fair enough for Pembroke Dock. Should stand down and let someone else take the job.”

A separate post in the Pembroke, Pembroke Dock and Pembrokeshire Community Business Facebook group described Cllr Beynon as “missing in action” and alleged that he was “on a jolly for six months in Portugal”.

It added: “Taking the piss.”

The posts prompted a heated discussion, with several contributors calling for Cllr Beynon to resign and questioning whether he could properly represent Pembroke Dock Central while spending time abroad.

Others defended the councillor, saying he had worked hard for the town and had helped residents both inside and outside his ward.

The Pembrokeshire Herald was tagged in the discussion and asked to investigate the claims.

Cllr Beynon has now told the Herald that the allegation he spent six months living in Portugal is untrue.

He confirmed that his partner is Portuguese and that they travel between Portugal and the UK to maintain their relationship.

However, he said none of his visits to Portugal had lasted longer than a standard holiday and that his partner also travels to the UK.

Cllr Beynon said he continues to live in Pembroke Dock and remains active within his ward, assisting residents, attending local meetings and carrying out his council duties.

He said he had recently met representatives of Pembroke Dock’s yacht club and had another meeting in the town scheduled for the following week.

The social media discussion also focused on Cllr Beynon’s published council attendance record.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s website showed that, between February 2 and July 28, he was expected to attend 14 meetings. It recorded 12 virtual attendances and two absences, giving him an overall attendance rate of 86 per cent.

The online record appeared to show that none of the meetings had been attended in person.

Cllr Beynon said he had attended the June meeting of the full council in person and that this could be confirmed through the council’s webcast.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council to explain the apparent discrepancy between the published attendance figures and Cllr Beynon’s account.

Cllr Beynon said he had attended most other meetings remotely while supporting his family through a difficult period.

He said he had nevertheless continued to be present in his ward, deal with residents’ concerns and remain available to the people he represents.

Cllr Beynon was initially reluctant to respond publicly because of previous false allegations and the harassment he said followed them.

He told the Herald that he had initially feared further reporting would add fuel to the social media row, but accepted that the newspaper had contacted him in order to establish the facts and give him a fair opportunity to respond.

He said the stress caused by repeated allegations and online harassment had left him considering whether he would stand for the council again at the next election.

No evidence has been provided to the Herald showing that Cllr Beynon lived in Portugal for six months, ceased living in Pembroke Dock or stopped carrying out his duties as a county councillor.

He maintains that his trips to Portugal were ordinary visits to see his partner and that he has continued representing the residents of Pembroke Dock Central.

Marcus Llewellyn will stand trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in September

A PEMBROKE man has denied assaulting a woman at an address in the town.

Marcus Llewellyn, aged 31, of Devon Drive, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (July 27).

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault by beating.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Devon Drive, Pembroke, on Saturday, July 25.

Llewellyn was released on conditional bail ahead of a trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 28.

The trial is expected to last approximately three hours.

His bail conditions prohibit him from contacting the complainant, either directly or indirectly.

He must also not enter Tenby before the case is concluded.

The allegations against Llewellyn have not been proven and he remains innocent unless convicted.