Entertainment

More than ever visit 2022 Urdd National Eisteddfod

Published

4 years ago

June 5, 2022

THE LONG-AWAITED 2022 Urdd Eisteddfod was the first and largest national cultural event held for the young people of Wales since the beginning of the pandemic. Access to the festival in Denbighshire was free this year, which resulted in 118,000 visiting the site.

Thousands of competitors from across Wales had the opportunity to perform on stage in one of the three pavilions as the Urdd offered ‘a stage for everyone’ for the very first time, an experiment which was a “major success” according to event organisers.

Siân Lewis, Chief Executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru said: “We are extremely grateful to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles and the Welsh Government for enabling us to offer free entry to this year’s Eisteddfod. Free entry has helped attract more visitors and competitors from all parts of Wales. We’ve seen such a diverse audience attend the Eisteddfod – it really has been a festival for all.”

Siân Eirian, Director of the Urdd Eisteddfod and the Arts said: “As organisers we’re delighted that the experiment of having three pavilions rather than one, and to offer a stage for everyone, has been a major success and welcomed by our competitors. We will continue with this development as we organise Carmarthenshire’s Urdd Eisteddfod in 2023.

“Several new and exciting elements have been introduced on the Eisteddfod Maes this year, but as all good events, the Urdd will assess and evaluate all developments before deciding which new elements will be adopted next year and into the future.

“We’re extremely grateful to all the teachers, trainers, parents, and carers for working so hard to teach, create and train the competitors over the last few months, ensuring the high standard and success of this very special Eisteddfod. I would also like to thank all our sponsors and partners for their support, and of course, to all the staff and volunteers for all their hard work.”

185 hours of content from the Maes was broadcasted across S4C’s platforms, along with various content throughout the week on BBC Radio Cymru, Radio Cymru 2 and BBC Cymru Fyw.

There was merit in each of the Eisteddfod’s main ceremonies. At the start of the week, it was announced that 12-year-old Shuchen Xie from Cardiff was the winner of the Main Composer of the Urdd Eisteddfod 2022 – the youngest person to ever win one of the main prizes in the history of the Urdd Eisteddfod. Josh Osbourne from Poole won the Welsh Learner Medal and Anna Ng from Cardiff won the Bobi Jones Medal. Osian Wynn Davies from Llanfairpwll won the Drama Medal, Ciarán Eynon who is originally from Llandrillo-yn-Rhos was the winner of the Chair whilst Twm Ebbsworth from Llanwnnen, Ceredigion won the Crown.

The three lucky competitors who will be representing Wales on behalf of the Urdd in the 2022 North American Festival of Wales in Philadelphia in September are as follows: Siriol Elin (Cylch Bro Aled, Conwy), Manon Ogwen Parry (Adran y Fro, Vale of Glamorgan) and Tomos Gwyn Bohana (outside of Wales). Dyffryn Clwyd Choir will also be invited to perform as part of the Team Wales celebrations as they prepare for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this August.

A panel of judges have also chosen six of the most promising competitors under the age of 25 to compete for the Urdd Gobaith Cymru Bryn Terfel Scholarship, which will be held in the autumn. Those competing for this year’s scholarship are as follows: Fflur Davies (Cylch Arfon), Gwenno Morgan (London), Ioan Williams (Adran Bro Taf), Mali Elwy (Adran Bro Aled), Owain Rowlands (Blaenau Tywi) and Rhydian Tiddy (Blaenau Tywi).

The Urdd was pleased to announce that both Gwenan Mars-Lloyd (Denbighshire) and Nansi Rhys Adams (Cardiff and the Vale) receive the Eisteddfod Scholarship this year – a scholarship which is awarded to the most promising competitors in the age group year 10 and under 19 years old. Catrin Jones from Llanwnnen, Ceredigion was also announced as the festival’s Chief Artist and Nel Thomas from Cardiff as winner of the Art, Design and Technology Medal.

Another first for the Eisteddfod was Triban Festival, which has, and continues to be a success for the festival’s organisers. As part of the centenary celebrations, Triban has been a great opportunity to reflect contemporary Welsh music on the Urdd Eisteddfod field, but also an opportunity to celebrate past performers and songs – a perfect combination of old favourites and the new. On Triban’s first night, a full audience laughed their way through Cabarela’s risqué and polished performance. On Friday night, Tara Bandito was joined on stage by Eden, as a special surprise to everyone, and Yws Gwynedd closed the evening with everyone’s favourite, Sebona Fi. Tonight, N’Famady Koyuate will perform his fusion of Mandingue African and western European jazz, pop, indie and funk arrangements. And as part of Triban Festival’s nostalgic offer, Tecwyn Ifan as well as Dilwyn Siôn will be performing ahead of Adwaith and Eden’s line-up to end the Saturday night on a high.

Next year the Urdd Eisteddfod will be held in Carmarthenshire between 29 May – 3 June 2023.

Entertainment

BBC loses more than half a million TV licences in a year

Published

1 hour ago

July 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Broadcaster warns its current funding model is becoming unsustainable as viewers move away from live television and BBC iPlayer

THE NUMBER of television licences in force across the UK has fallen by almost 540,000 in just one year, according to the BBC’s latest annual report.

A total of 23.3 million licences were active at the end of the 2025/26 financial year, compared with 23.8 million 12 months earlier.

The reduction of 539,000 was considerably larger than the fall recorded during the previous year and reflects the growing number of households which say they no longer watch programmes requiring a television licence.

Households need a licence to watch or record television programmes as they are being broadcast on any channel, or to use BBC iPlayer. Those who only use other streaming services to watch programmes on demand do not generally require one.

The number of households declaring that they did not need a licence rose by 62,000 during the year, reaching approximately 3.7 million.

Licence numbers have now fallen by more than 2.5 million since the beginning of the decade, when around 25.9 million were in force.

BBC chief financial officer Berangere Michel said the majority of the decline appeared to be caused by people no longer consuming content covered by the licence.

She warned that the trend was unlikely to reverse and was instead expected to accelerate, strengthening the BBC’s argument that the way it is funded must be reformed.

The corporation’s annual report said its financial outlook had worsened during the second half of 2025, with licence sales falling more quickly than previously forecast.

Inflation, rising production costs and difficult trading conditions across the wider media industry have also increased the gap between the BBC’s income and its expenditure.

Although licence fee income stood at around £3.87 billion in 2025/26, the value of that income has fallen sharply when inflation is taken into account.

In today’s prices, the corporation received approximately £1.34 billion less than the equivalent amount raised in 2016/17, representing a real-terms reduction of around 26 per cent.

The BBC reported an operating loss of £121 million for 2025/26 despite an increase in the price of the television licence during the year.

Director-general Matt Brittin described the situation as a “moment of real jeopardy” for both the BBC and public service broadcasting in the UK.

He said the corporation continued to play an important role in public life, the economy and Britain’s cultural influence, but acknowledged that it would have to change substantially to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving media market.

The report shows that 94 per cent of adults use at least one BBC service each month, but fewer than 80 per cent of households now contribute through the licence fee.

BBC chairman Samir Shah said the difference between the number of people using BBC services and those paying for them demonstrated that the existing system could no longer support the corporation’s public service responsibilities.

The BBC is preparing for negotiations over its next Royal Charter, with the current arrangements due to expire at the end of 2027.

Options being discussed include retaining a reformed licence fee, extending payments to some households using commercial streaming services, or developing a different funding system. The Government has not yet made a final decision.

The future of the licence fee also has implications for broadcasting in Wales. S4C receives its public funding through the television licence, with £97.6 million allocated to the Welsh-language broadcaster during 2025/26.

The BBC has already announced plans to reduce spending across its news, nations and content divisions.

The first phase is expected to save around £160 million, contributing towards a wider target of £500 million by 2028/29. The programme is expected to result in between 1,800 and 2,000 job losses over three years.

BBC executives maintain that substantial reform will be needed alongside those savings if the organisation is to continue providing television, radio, news, online and regional services on their current scale.

Entertainment

Immersive circus brings echoes of the Mabinogi to life amongst ancient trees

Published

1 day ago

July 13, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

THIS AUGUST, SPAN Arts is proud to present Journey of a Shapeshifter, an immersive Welsh-language aerial circus performance from Freya Sofia and company.

Surrounded by ancient woodland in the meadow at Colby Woodland Gardens, this unforgettable show offers an immersive, nature-drenched experience.

Freya Sofia and company are based in the Dyffryn Ogwen (Valley) in North-West Wales.

Their work is inspired by the local landscape, folklore and folk music. Journey of the Shapeshifter is a circus and theatre show with live folk music, performed in Welsh, that will captivate families and audiences of all ages.

Inspired by the tale of Ceridwen and Taliesin from the Mabinogi, the show follows the themes of transformation and metamorphosis of humans embodying animal forms.

The show is performed on an outdoor aerial rig, with symbolic props, puppets and accompanied by live Welsh folk music that draws you into the story of the performance. The greater message is that we, as animals, are part of the natural world and can live harmoniously with nature.

Join us for an enlivened summer performance in the meadow at Colby Woodland Garden on August 1. There will be two performances at 1pm and 2pm.

Audiences are advised to bring their own picnic rugs and chairs for the performance. The show will go on, rain or shine, so we ask you to dress for the weather and come prepared.

There is on-site pay-and-display car parking provided by the National Trust. The site is accessible via gravel paths. Please contact [email protected] for accessibility information.

You can book tickets via www.span-arts.org.uk

For ticket holders who need access support to attend, we offer a free ticket for their companion, carer or personal assistant. Contact 01834 869323 to book your carers ticket.

Community

Discover Wales’ past this summer with Cadw’s family events

Published

1 day ago

July 13, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

FAMILIES across Wales can look forward to a summer packed with adventure, as Cadw unveils its exciting programme of family-friendly events set within the nation’s most iconic castles, abbeys and ancient landmarks.

Taking place throughout the school holidays, the events programme invites visitors to step into the past through immersive experiences, interactive workshops and hands-on activities designed to bring Welsh history to life for all ages.

Dr Kate Roberts, Chief Executive of Cadw, said: “Summer is the perfect time for families to step outside and explore Wales’ incredible heritage, and our events programme makes those visits even more memorable.

“Whether it’s stepping into the shoes of medieval characters, discovering ancient traditions or simply spending time together in remarkable settings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, with free child entry for adult members, it’s a fantastic way to make lasting memories over the school holidays.”

With over 70 Cadw events scheduled across Wales in July and August, highlights from this summer’s programme in West Wales include:

Historic Echoes (Laugharne Castle)

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August, 11:00-16:00

Step into the early 15th century at Laugharne Castle to discover how castles were attacked and defended, handle replica weapons and armour, and learn about medieval medicine through a series of expert demonstrations.

Hysterical History (Kidwelly Castle)

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August, 11:00-16:00

Take part in an interactive experience at Kidwelly Castle, where visitors can explore the skills, training and traditions of medieval knighthood through engaging, hands-on activities with Sir Roland De Preaux.

Children’s Activity Day (Strata Florida Abbey)

Thursday 13 August, 10:00-12:00. Online pre-booking is essential.

Spend the day at Strata Florida Abbey, where young historians can explore the medieval abbey’s past through hands-on archaeology experiences and learn about the lives of the Cistercian monks and the surrounding landscape.

Historia Normannis (Laugharne Castle)

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, 11:00-16:00

Witness the spectacle of knights’ tournaments at Laugharne Castle to watch combat displays and see justice delivered at the Shire Court. Alongside the action, enjoy humorous performances that bring key moments in history to life in an entertaining and accessible way.

Living History Weekend (Laugharne Castle)

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July, 11:00-16:00

Experience medieval village life at Laugharne Castle with a weekend of living history. Visitors can see dramatic demonstrations of Civil War armour and weaponry, with live cannon and musket firing.

In addition to these events, Cadw is offering a series of guided tours throughout the summer to give visitors a chance to delve deeper into the details of each location. In West Wales this includes: Castell Oxwich, and Castell Cilgerran. Pre-booking via the Cadw website for these events is required.

For those looking to make the most of their visits this summer and beyond, a Cadw membership offers free entry to all events and unlimited access to over 130 historic places across Wales. Children go free with adult memberships, making it a great value option for families. As a bonus, members receive a Cadw handbook, free audio guides at selected sites and two Heritage in Wales Magazines each year.

Find out more and book tickets at https://cadw.gov.wales