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Eisteddfod yr Urdd

Ceredigion 2010

ONCE the Christmas festivities are over and we’re into 2010, all focus will turn to the Urdd National Eisteddfod to be held in Llanerchaeron between 31 May and 5 June. The preliminary rounds of Eisteddfodau will be in full swing by the beginning of February and thousands of children and young people will be on the road to Ceredigion.

As the Eisteddfod ‘maes’ takes shape, many local businesses will be gearing up for what promises to be an even busier-than-usual Whitsun half-term week. Traditionally, shops and businesses have welcomed the Eisteddfod to an area with festive window dressing and bunting a-plenty. And this year promises to be no exception with plans already in place in some areas to dress to impress.

But window dressing is not the only part local businesses can play in the Eisteddfod’s success. Many companies are already signing-up as sponsors of the event, ensuring their name is associated with this prestigious and far-reaching festival.

One of the first businesses in Aberaeron to become sponsors, is Morgan and Davies Estate Agents, who will be celebrating twenty years in the business in 2010.

“It’s local people who’ve helped make the business what it is today and given that the Urdd National Eisteddfod is to be held in Ceredigion next year, we felt it was fitting that we become one of the festival’s sponsors,” said Dylan Davies, one of Morgan and Davies’ two partners.

“So many opportunities are available to children and young people who are part of the Urdd Eisteddfod and when that Eisteddfod is held locally, those opportunities multiply. But the Eisteddfod isn’t just for children and young people. Over the years the Eisteddfod ‘maes’ has grown and developed. There’s something for everyone, whatever their ages.”

As Chair of the ‘Maes’ Committee, which oversees the development of the Eisteddfod site, Dylan Davies knows better than most what lies ahead for visitors when they visit Llanerchaeron next year.

“The Eisteddfod ‘maes’ of Llanerchaeron is right on our doorstep and it’s a great venue for an event of this kind” said Dylan Davies. “Not only will this be an opportunity for visitors from Ceredigion and further afield to visit the Eisteddfod, they can also combine it with a walk around the magnificent estate of Llanerchaeron.

Mali James is the Urdd National Eisteddfod’s Corporate Development Manager. A native of Ceredigion, Mali works closely with the local community to attract local sponsorship and she is delighted with the response so far.

“The Urdd National Eisteddfod has a broad range of sponsors and we try to ensure we can produce a sponsorship package to suit every company,” said Mali who was born and raised in Talybont.

“I’m very grateful to Morgan and Davies for their support which is so important to a festival like ours. It enables us to provide a better experience for the children and young people taking part as well as the tens of thousands of visitors we expect at Llanerchaeron next year.

“We’re discussing sponsorship opportunities with a number of other local companies and we’d be delighted to hear from any others who would like to play an integral part in the Eisteddfod’s success,” concluded Mali.

Anyone wishing to sponsor next year’s Urdd National Eisteddfod is asked to email Mali James, Corporate Development Manager on mali@urdd.org.