Festival site in Llantwd is taking shape ahead of the National Eisteddfod’s arrival in Pembrokeshire from August 1 to 8

WORK is well underway to transform fields at Llantwd into the Maes for this year’s National Eisteddfod, with a new creative team leading preparations for Wales’s largest cultural festival.

Visitors can expect a fresh layout and a range of new spaces and experiences when Eisteddfod y Garreg Las opens its gates next month.

Llwyfan y Maes and Mas ar y Maes will have a different look and feel, while new areas including Llwyfan Llên and the Tebot Hud are being introduced to add to the festival atmosphere.

Preparations began in mid-June and are being led for the first time by Angharad Davies, the Eisteddfod’s Head of Operations and Production.

Her role covers every aspect of creating the temporary festival site, from installing y Pafiliwn and coordinating contractors to arranging electricity, water supplies, access routes, toilets and other essential services.

Angharad joined the Eisteddfod team shortly before last year’s festival in Wrexham, but this is the first time she has been involved in developing the Maes from a blank canvas.

She said: “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on the Maes this year. It’s been an exciting opportunity to rethink how the site works.

“Our aim is to create a Maes that feels vibrant while keeping that sense of community that makes the Eisteddfod so unique.

“We have to think about everything, from the large structures, stages and cabins to water and electricity supplies, access routes, toilets and all the smaller details that ensure the Maes works.”

Angharad brings extensive experience in theatre, festivals and major events to the role.

After studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, she worked in theatre and at events including Glastonbury and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, as well as on international productions.

She later spent several years planning and producing shows for Theatr Cymru.

Angharad has been working alongside Cordelia Ashwell, of Decordia, who has played a central role in developing the creative vision for this year’s Maes.

Cordelia is also a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and the pair have combined their production experience with local knowledge and suppliers from the Garreg Las area.

Their designs aim to make the most of the site’s location, with views towards the Preseli Mountains forming a natural backdrop to the festival.

Cordelia said: “Working on the Eisteddfod has been a special experience and has made me prouder than ever of my Welsh heritage.

“It has been a privilege to collaborate with local students and businesses, and to see their excitement at being part of such an amazing project and having the Eisteddfod on their doorstep.

“It’s really important to us that the Maes reflects the local area. We have a fantastic team from the Garreg Las area working with us, and that makes a huge difference.”

Angharad described the project as being similar to building a temporary town.

She said: “Everything needs to come together at the right time and in the right place, and its success depends on great teamwork and people who are willing to go above and beyond.

“I’m very proud of the team. Everyone is doing their best, and it is a privilege to lead this work.

“Our aim is to create a Maes that functions well, looks fantastic and gives everyone a very warm croeso.”

Eisteddfod y Garreg Las takes place at Llantwd, Pembrokeshire, from August 1 to 8.

Further information is available from the National Eisteddfod website.

Picture caption:

Angharad Davies and Cordelia Ashwell on the Maes ahead of Eisteddfod y Garreg Las 2026.

Teulu Wellbeing will offer free and reduced-cost sessions to families facing anxiety, bereavement, trauma and other emotional challenges

CHILDREN and young people across Pembrokeshire will be able to access free and subsidised play therapy following a National Lottery Community Fund award.

Teulu Wellbeing & Child Therapy CIC says the funding will help remove financial barriers for families who may otherwise struggle to access specialist therapeutic support.

The project will support children experiencing anxiety, bereavement, trauma, family change, emotional difficulties and other challenges affecting their mental health and wellbeing.

Teulu Wellbeing was founded by qualified play therapists Beth Job, Harriet Carr and Jackie Burns with the aim of making early therapeutic intervention available to children regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.

The Pembrokeshire-based community interest company works with children, parents, carers, schools and other professionals to help young people build resilience, confidence and emotional wellbeing.

Play therapy uses play as a way for children to communicate feelings, process difficult experiences and develop healthier coping strategies in a safe and supportive environment.

A spokesperson for Teulu Wellbeing said: “We know that many families are facing increasing pressures, and accessing mental health support can often feel out of reach.

“Thanks to National Lottery funding, we are able to remove financial barriers and offer children the opportunity to receive specialist therapeutic support when they need it most.

“Our vision is simple: every child deserves the chance to feel safe, heard and understood.

“This funding means we can reach more children at the earliest opportunity and provide support that can make a lifelong difference for children, young people and their families.”

The organisation hopes the scheme will improve children’s emotional wellbeing, strengthen family relationships and reduce inequalities in access to mental health support across Pembrokeshire.

Families are being encouraged to contact Teulu Wellbeing to enquire about funded or subsidised sessions.

Fully funded places will be limited and subject to an eligibility assessment to ensure support reaches children and families with the greatest need.

Reduced-cost sessions will also be available to families who do not meet the criteria for fully funded therapy.

Teulu Wellbeing thanked National Lottery players for making the project possible.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing an explosion before flames spread into dry vegetation on the wooded coastline

FIREFIGHTERS have responded to a blaze on the coastline near Saundersfoot Harbour this evening, Sunday (Jul 26).

Smoke could be seen rising from the wooded area around Glen Beach, to the west of the harbour, as crews made their way to the scene.

Pictures supplied to The Herald show a fire engine accessing the area along a narrow track, while a visible pocket of flames continued to burn among vegetation close to the shoreline.

One eyewitness claimed that a barbecue had been taking place on the beach before an explosion was heard and the fire began spreading up the cliff in the direction of Rhodewood. That account has not yet been officially confirmed.

Two fire appliances were reported to be in attendance, with residents praising the speed of the emergency response.

The ground across Pembrokeshire remains exceptionally dry, increasing the risk of vegetation fires spreading rapidly.

There have been no confirmed reports of injuries.

The Herald has approached Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service for further information. No official incident statement was visible on the service’s online newsroom when checked.

Pictures: Karen Morey