COMMUNITIES are being encouraged to get creative as preparations begin to welcome more than 175,000 visitors to Eisteddfod y Garreg Las.

With just over 75 days to go until the festival, villages and towns across the catchment area are being invited to take part in the traditional harddu, or decorating, campaign.

The official decorating weekend, sponsored by housing association Barcud, will take place on Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and 5.

Workshops will begin at Cardigan Castle on Sunday, May 17, with a special session for local businesses at 10:00am, followed by a community session for residents at 2:00pm.

Local artist Jenni Jones, a teacher at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, will lead the workshops. The sessions are free, open to all, and there is no need to register in advance.

Jenni said: “I’m really looking forward to working with communities across south Ceredigion to create materials to welcome the Eisteddfod to the area in August.

“This is a very special year for Cardigan and for the Eisteddfod, with the 850th anniversary celebrations, and organising a creative workshop to decorate the area has already sparked a number of colourful and innovative ideas.”

Manor Park Zoo, near Tenby, will host the Pembrokeshire workshop on Saturday, July 4, as part of the decorating weekend. The aim is to create a large piece of public art to be displayed on the road outside the main entrance.

Details of a workshop for west Carmarthenshire will be announced shortly.

Organisers and the Eisteddfod Executive Committee are also encouraging residents, businesses and community groups to decorate their own areas and create colourful displays to welcome visitors.

Executive Committee Chair John Davies said there was already strong enthusiasm across the region.

He said: “Wherever I go, someone is sure to ask about the decorating campaign – whether it’s to find out when it will begin or to share local ideas for welcoming visitors.

“I’m certain there will be a strong sense of friendly competition between villages as we approach Eisteddfod week.

“We’ve all heard of the competitive spirit of singing and competing, and I’m sure a real community spirit will take hold as the area prepares.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to ensure our communities are looking their best for the celebrations, and we’re all looking forward to getting started over the coming weeks.”

A decorating pack has already been published on the Eisteddfod website for anyone wishing to get involved.

Eisteddfod y Garreg Las will be held in Llantwd, north Pembrokeshire, from August 1-8, 2026.

For more information, visit www.eisteddfod.cymru.

SOLO SAILOR HELPED TO SAFETY BY COASTGUARD CREWS

FISHGUARD RNLI volunteers were paged on Saturday evening (May 9) after a 26ft yacht broke free from its mooring and ran aground near Fishguard Lower Town quay.

The charity’s D-class inshore lifeboat, Edward Arthur Richardson, was launched at 7:56pm following a request from HM Coastguard.

Information received was that the yacht, with one person on board, had grounded on the seaward side of the quay.

When the lifeboat arrived, the helm assessed the situation and sea conditions. Swells were lifting the yacht before dropping it back onto rocks below the surface.

Because of the yacht’s position and the weather conditions, it was decided that the safest way to assist the sailor was from the shore. Fishguard Coastguard officers, who were already on the quay side, helped the casualty from the vessel and back up the steps on the quay wall.

The lifeboat remained on standby while coastguard crews assessed the situation. During that time, the helm kept the inshore lifeboat facing into the conditions to ensure the safety of those on board.

Once it was confirmed that the sailor, members of the public and coastguard officers were safely away from the water, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

‘Not viable to tow’

Fishguard RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Cedwyn Rogers said: “Fishguard’s volunteer crew responded to a request from HM Coastguard to attend a yacht with one person on board that was being pushed onto rocks by the weather.

“Once on scene, the helm made an assessment and it was determined that, given the proximity to the quay and accessibility of the casualty vessel from shore, the most appropriate way in which to preserve life was for the casualty to be assisted from the yacht by coastguards.

“With the vessel already aground and the nature of the surf due to the northerly winds, it was not viable to attempt a tow without presenting further unnecessary risks to the lifeboat crew and casualty.

“Once a vessel has grounded, the structural integrity and stability of a vessel is unknown, and to tow it off could compromise that further. In these situations, other means of assisting a casualty will be utilised.

“With the casualty sailor safe with HM Coastguard and no further persons near the water’s edge, the lifeboat returned to station.”

The RNLI added that anyone who is in trouble at sea, or who believes someone else may be in difficulty, should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Pic: RNLI/Rhodri Pugh-Dungey.

A CENTURIES-old rural church in Pembrokeshire will reopen its doors this summer following a lengthy and complex restoration project.

Tucked away down a narrow track in the village of Gumfreston, the church is known for its distinctive tapering tower, vaulted porch, and atmospheric interior. Surrounded by trees, its churchyard is said to come alive each spring with carpets of lesser celandine, while nearby holy wells continue to flow year-round.

The restoration has taken several years to complete. According to the project team, the building was in a severely deteriorated condition before work began, with significant damp problems that have made drying and stabilisation particularly challenging. During the course of the works, conservation teams also made a number of unexpected discoveries within the historic structure.

Organisers expressed gratitude to the many contractors, volunteers, supporters, and local residents who contributed to the project and showed patience throughout the lengthy closure.

St Lawrence’s Church, Gumfreston is welcoming selected visitors on Thursday, June 18, with an opening celebration planned from 2pm to 4pm.

Visitors attending the reopening event will be able to view the restored church, hear about its conservation journey, and join a toast to mark the completion of the works.