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Alcohol on Maes been 'a success'

URDD organisers have said there has been misconceptions over alcohol being sold at this year's Urdd Eisteddfod.

It is the first time alcohol has been allowed to be consumed at the Eisteddfod, which has caused major controversy with Eisteddfod-goers and parents across Wales.

Rumours of a beer tent on the Maes had worried people that the influence of alcohol would cause disruption throughout the week. But organisers said that rumours of a beer tent were out of context, and that alcohol was only being sold in the Bwyty restaurant on the Maes, as long as adults were having a sit-down meal.

Non Tudur Williams, who was working at the Urdd said the Bwyti had been successful.

“It is the first year we have had alcohol here and it is just an experiment to see how well it goes. It’s undecided if it will continue next year, we will have to have review the success after the Eisteddfod. There hasn’t been any trouble and the Bwyty has been very busy everyday,” she said.

“There has been a lot of misconception about the consumption of alcohol on the Maes, but it is only being sold with a meal. It’s just so people have different choices - they could either get food from the burger vans or they can enjoy a more upmarket meal and glass of wine. I think people had the impression there would be a big beer tent but that’s not the case!”

The sun brought people to sit outside the Bwyti, and there was also locally sourced produce on the menu and winners of True Taste Wales award, which attracted many customers.

Cardigan Bay crabs, South Caernarfon Creameries pudding, lamb from Aberystwyth University, Pencaemawr chutney and Ceredigion cheese and rarebit were popular with the customers.

Non added: “There is good food and a lot of local produce at the Bwyty, as well as winners of the True Taste Wales awards. People have been visiting the restaurant for the quality of food and fine wine, not because they have the intention of consuming vast amounts of alcohol.”