Uchafbwyntiau Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru

-Good evening and a warm welcome

-to you to the final programme

-from the Monmouthshire and District

-National Eisteddfod 2016.

-Yes, it has been a fantastic eight

-days here in Abergavenny.

-We have been here from the start

-to bring you all the competitions

-and it has been very exciting.

-A lot of new ground was broken

-here in Abergavenny.

-Yes, there have been many individual

-successes and Abergavenny itself has

-welcomed the Eisteddfod.

-I've been to every corner

-of the Maes, but it's obviously

-time for us to go home.

-Let's have a look

-back now on the week.

-to Abergavenny and Monmouthshire

-An ancient gem 'twixt

-Wye and mountain

-County of memories

-and hidden treasure

-County of abundance to satisfy your

-August and your desire.

-I know that there

-is in Monmouthshire

-Great bustle and a greater welcome

-and a vale without a single de Breos

-But one festival to ignite the night

-Today we shall occupy the pleasant

-acres and jump the walls.

-to visit Abergavenny.

-Welsh echoed around Monmouthshire.

-The festival opened

-on the Castle Fields to the sound

-of the opening ceremony.

-Among the performers -

-Only Men Aloud.

-# Make a noise and make it clear

-# Whoah-oh-oh-oh-oh

-# Whoah-oh-oh-oh-oh

-# We're not going to sit in silence

-# We're not going to live in fear

-# Whoah-oh-oh-oh-oh

-# Whoah-oh-oh-oh-oh

-# You're the voice

-try and understand it

-# Make a noise and make it clear

-# Whoah-oh-oh-oh-oh. #

-APPLAUSE

-Heledd,

-but you look a bit drab today.

-You're not very colourful.

-Stop it!

-As long as I'm happy,

-that's what's important.

-But hearing you say that reminds me

-that's how the pavilion felt

-at the beginning of the week,

-everybody going on and on

-about the lack of colour

-and missing the pink.

-To be fair, everyone's praised

-the sound and acoustics.

-It's like a concert hall.

-Yes, it is, definitely.

-But you and I aren't important,

-what did everyone else think?

-Erm...

-I think it looks like a bank.

-It's such a shame to

-get rid of the pink.

-It was quite traditional to come

-to the Eisteddfod

-and see this huge pink pavilion.

-You know there's

-an Eisteddfod in town

-when there's a pavilion

-in your field.

-I think the new pavilion

-looks smart and modern.

-It's more solid than the previous

-one, but it isn't as recognisable

-on the Maes like the pink one was.

-I think something new was needed.

-Looking at it from the outside,

-it doesn't look very majestic,

-but that doesn't count,

-how it is on the inside

-is what's important.

-People come on the Maes

-and the first thing they see

-is the new pavilion,

-but they're disappointed

-that the pink one isn't here.

-Then they go into the pavilion

-and change their minds.

-This pavilion is brilliant.

-Good evening, everyone.

-Isn't this a posh pavilion!

-seat, the atmosphere is wonderful

-and for the artists taking part,

-they look out from the stage,

-Shan Cothi said the other

-night, it's amazing.

-Much better than the old one.

-Very comfortable and

-you can see the stage.

-Everyone's very comfortable there.

-# The sun up above is smiling

-# The sun up above looks down...#

-It's great.

-I feel very honoured to be one

-of the first singers to sing here.

-It's very exciting to

-have a new pavilion.

-It looks to be a bit smaller,

-but there's something

-quite cosy about that.

-To make it more interesting, I think

-we should spray-paint it pink!

-Paint it pink.

-Not in protest...

-Different colours.

-Yes, different colours!

-That would be fantastic.

-From the viewpoint of modern

-architecture, the new pavilion

-is part of the Le Corbusier

-and all that, which is great,

-but the wrong materials were used.

-It is too plasticky,

-too shiny and too white.

-As an artist myself,

-I'd put more metal on it,

-more industrial materials and flock

-wallpaper all over it.

-Or maybe camouflage over it all?

-The game then would be to find

-the pavilion as the weeks went on.

-The colour doesn't matter.

-What counts are the

-performances on stage.

-The colour counts for nothing.

-APPLAUSE

-of the brass bands.

-and their leader John Glyn

-were aiming for the Triple Crown.

-APPLAUSE

-this 100 years ago.

-They were Welsh champions

-for three years running.

-After 25 years of leading the band,

-that's something I'd like to do.

-And I know that back home, someone's

-listening intently to every note.

-Well, yes.

-This year my granddaughter, Nel,

-is listening to Taid's

-band for the first time.

-That's very special to me.

-A cup for Nel?

-A cup for Nel.

-Congratulations, John.

-Thank you very much.

-Cymru Choral Competition

-being held for the first time.

-Cor Caerdydd won this competition

-and their leader, Gwawr Owen,

-was awarded the Gwilym E

-Humphreys Memorial Medal.

-# For a moment it stood

-# Without making a sound

-# It held its shadow

-# Its shadow

-# Under the heavens

-# The lake was blue

-# At the foot of the hill

-# Gentle. #

-APPLAUSE

-Congratulations to Cor Caerdydd.

-We'll return to the choral

-world in the next part

-and to those who gave

-us an entertainment

-programme on Sunday.

-We'll have some dancing

-from the pavilion and we'll

-meet the new Archdruid,

-as well as the crowned bard.

-the choirs competing on the Sunday

-a popular programme.

-But there was a change this year.

-The requirements for the choirs this

-year was to deliver a programme

-no longer than 12 minutes,

-and they were very varied.

-There was

-Seven choirs competed on stage.

-# On a night like this

-# We toss our cares to the wind

-# I dare you all

-On a night like this

-# I proclaim to the four winds

-# As the trumpet sounds

-Let us come together

-# To shout for our freedom

-In every street

-# On a night like this

-# We raise our glasses to change

-# To the power of the people

-# The workers' banner

-flies over the roofs

-# Shouting our Charter as one voice

-# We are on the way to our freedom!

-# We are on the way

-to justice for our nation!

-# We are on the way to our freedom!

-# We are on the way

-to justice for our nation!

-# We are on the way to our freedom!

-# We are on the way

-to justice for our nation!

-# On a night like this. #

-APPLAUSE

-Iwan, many congratulations.

-Thank you very much.

-That's a cup and a half!

-It certainly is.

-I never thought I'd be holding it.

-Didn't you?

-No, it was an exceptionally

-good competition.

-I was lucky that we were the first

-choir because I could listen

-I was lucky that we were the first

-to the competition.

-It was thrilling and a pleasure

-to be in the audience.

-They all responded very well.

-Congratulations.

-Thank you very much.

-This competition in its new guise

-has definitely won its place.

-I have to admit, watching a local

-choir, Chepstow Singing Club,

-competing for the first time

-in the Eisteddfod and filling

-every inch of that stage

-was a sight to remember.

-# Oh, happy day, oh, happy day...#

-Out of 500...no, out of 150 people,

-five people can speak Welsh.

-Everybody else has learned the Welsh

-words for the

-Monmouthshire Eisteddfod this year.

-# When Jesus washed me...#

-There aren't many people

-in Monmouthshire who speak Welsh,

-and this year, there's been

-the opportunity for everyone

-to practise and speak Welsh

-and bring friends to the Eisteddfod,

-share the language,

-share the Welsh culture.

-# Oh yeah, every day! #

-APPLAUSE

-the dancers jump on to the stage.

-And starring this year

-was Ioan Wyn Williams from Cardiff.

-you have to be able to perform

-on a big stage in front of

-a big audience and enjoy dancing.

-of his talent as he took first place

-in the Individual Creative

-Modern Dance, too.

-FANFARE

-Dewi and Paul, you are on stage

-during the main ceremonies.

-This year is your 15th ceremony?

-I think this is our 15th ceremony.

-Our first was in 2002 in St Davids.

-It's a long time ago now!

-Is it an honour?

-Yes.

-Definitely.

-It's a huge honour to be here

-and to be part of the Gorsedd, too.

-When it comes to competing, Dewi,

-you're with Tredegar

-and Paul, you're leading

-Northop Silver Band.

-How big a competition is this?

-This is the pinnacle

-of the brass bands competitions.

-This is the top for

-the bands, without a doubt.

-It's always a challenge

-for any band, whether it's

-in Britain or Europe,

-to play against Tredegar.

-It's a huge honour for any band

-to compete against them.

-Yes, Tredegar Town Band

-is recognised as one

-of Britain's best brass bands.

-They won the main competition.

-APPLAUSE

-is always an exciting day, isn't it,

-when you see the Gorsedd marching

-through the Maes for the first time?

-You were there.

-Yes, but beside them.

-But is started to rain,

-didn't it, so they had to use

-the Literary Pavilion.

-But it is a special and memorable

-day for everyone being honoured.

-Certainly.

-It was also a memorable day for

-the new Archdruid - Geraint Llifon.

-why my parents had chosen such

-similar names for two brothers.

-I'm Geraint and my brother's

-name was Gerallt.

-I'm a little boy from the

-countryside, from Merionethshire,

-not far from Bala.

-I had three daughters,

-and then Elliw died

-while waiting for two transplants.

-Archdruid after Christine,

-one minute, I'd say, "Yes"

-but the next, I'd say,

-"No, I can't do that".

-At that time, Elliw was ill.

-She was in the little room there.

-She came in and leaned

-on the grate there and said,

-"Dad, go for it.

-You can do it".

-"Go for it, you can do it."

-And she left.

-line of Archdruids,

-going right back to

-the first Eisteddfod.

-Christine, as the only woman,

-has been exceptional.

-I only hope I can follow

-in her footsteps.

-The truth against the world.

-Is there peace?

-Heart to heart.

-Is there peace?

-A cry louder than any other.

-Is there peace?

-Peace!

-will Carreg Lefn please stand up.

-who is Carreg Lefn?

-She comes from Rhostryfan.

-That is where Elinor Gwynn lives.

-APPLAUSE

-A cry louder than any

-other, is there peace?

-Peace!

-That was very, very good.

-Peace!

-That was very, very good.

-

-Sheath the sword, and let the bard

-sit in the peace of the Eisteddfod.

-Peace!

-That was very, very good.

-

-Sheath the sword, and let the bard

-sit in the peace of the Eisteddfod.

-

-Let us go back back

-to the halfway mark

-Or the three-quarter mark, perhaps.

-Back further than

-where the green path

-With its satin elegance

-beneath our feet

-And the stone walls sustained us

-Back to that scrag of land

-Where footfall had worn

-a smooth knot over the years

-Where it was starting to fall apart

-Into clean furrows between

-the clumps of thorn bushes.

-Their branches muffled the noise

-from the cross-winds

-Distorting them into

-bedraggled rags around us.

-I'd like to say how lucky

-we are in Wales that we have these

-chances to put our work forward

-and to have it adjudicated and then

-have a discussion about the work.

-That's wonderful.

-According to the adjudication,

-it's obvious that your background

-in the environment has

-influenced your work.

-Yes, it seems so.

-It isn't a poem about

-the environment,

-but it does describe

-a journey, a trip.

-A journey through

-an intense experience.

-There is a similarity

-to when you go for a walk.

-When someone's out walking,

-they think a lot, see a few views,

-remember some views,

-go along some new paths

-before returning to

-the central pathway.

-There are touches

-and influences there.

-Many congratulations to you,

-Elinor,

-for winning here in

-the Monmouthshire Eisteddfod.

-Thank you.

-16 instrumentalists.

-Receiving the Blue Riband was

-Ela Haf Williams from Bontnewydd.

-APPLAUSE

-Congratulations to Ela.

-When we come back, we'll

-see some of the winners

-from Tuesday's competitions,

-as well as meeting the winner

-of the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize.

-We'll be wandering over

-the wild lands of Maes B.

-.

-window to our programme.

-But behind me, Dewi,

-Heledd and Steffan,

-is an army of people.

-Editors, make-up artists,

-there are 24 camera operators,

-29 sound engineers,

-every one of them working

-in this technical village.

-If you come over here, there are two

-huge scanners, satellite vans.

-This is where the engineers work.

-Look at these.

-23 kilometres of cables making sure

-the pictures get to your homes.

-There are all sorts of cables,

-blue, brown, white.

-I'm not sure what this does,

-but if I pull it out...

-There's more than 90 hours

-of televised broadcasting.

-Between our programme on S4C,

-BBC Four and news bulletins,

-there's 250 hours

-between television, radio

-and online coverage.

-The Eisteddfod can be

-watched on every platform.

-On the Maes, every platform

-offers something different

-to the Eisteddfod-goers.

-Yes, the number of stages has

-increased over the years.

-By now, several performance areas

-have sprung up around the Maes.

-But if you want to

-escape the busy areas,

-one of the most popular places

-on the Maes is Y Lle Celf.

-is the variety of methods.

-There's experimental work

-and more traditional work.

-You'd think at the first glance

-that these are large photographs,

-but, no, these are very

-detailed paintings.

-They are extremely skilled.

-Young Artist Scholarship

-is Gwenllian Llwyd from Ceredigion.

-In this powerful piece,

-she's discussing the dereliction

-and deterioration of chapels

-in her area.

-It's a patchwork of video work,

-photographs and audio work.

-It's very sensitive

-and touches us as viewers.

-Art this year was Richard Bevan.

-The selectors have been enchanted

-and fascinated by the work.

-It has been filmed on 16mm film,

-which is highly original.

-We're enticed into the quiet,

-calm world of the artist.

-They are silent,

-still films, which are highly

-sensitive and intricate,

-and are well worth seeing.

-went to Lisa Krigel.

-There is a very architectural

-feel to the work

-in the way it's been laid out.

-That's no surprise as she's

-the daughter of an architect.

-She was raised in New York

-in the shadow of the skyscrapers.

-There's also a practical

-element to the ceramics,

-so this original duality

-is very interesting.

-Accepting the Gold Medal

-for Architecture

-is Hall + Bednarczyk

-for designing the centre

-on the banks of

-Llandegfedd Reservoir, Pontypool.

-Here is a local, community

-and exciting project,

-where the public's experience

-of the centre at the reservoir

-is affected by the

-architectural design.

-It looks over the water

-and the hills surrounding

-the reservoir, and the view

-from the balcony is enchanting.

-one of the favourite competitions

-is the Pensioners' Choir.

-But only two choirs took part this

-year, and one of them

-was aiming to take the title

-for the seventh time.

-# The Hyddgen is quiet

-# With its calm

-and cool watercolours

-# And the pathway to the Dyli Valley

-is empty in the moonlight

-# Owain is in the breeze

-# His dreams are on the wind

-# The echoes of his rebellion

-come from the past...#

-I'm so pleased that one

-of the judges, Mari Pritchard,

-questioned the word, "Pensioners",

-in the competition's title.

-To me, they are experienced singers,

-they are a mixed choir.

-They may be a bit older and they

-celebrate like older people, too.

-They know how to celebrate

-and lead young people astray!

-# And that is our Wales. #

-APPLAUSE

-it was a day to remember

-for Rhys Meilyr from Llangefni,

-Anglesey.

-He took the double after

-winning the Boys' Solo

-and the Cerdd Dant Solo

-under 20 years.

-# Give the face of earth around

-# And the road before me

-# Wealth I ask not, hope, nor love

-# Nor a friend to know me

-# All I ask, the heaven above

-# And the road below me. #

-APPLAUSE

-happy to have won the Cerdd Dant,

-as well as the Boys' Solo.

-I wasn't expecting it at all.

-# My heart will know for sure

-# Despite losing my petals,

-I'm whole at last

-# The love of the wind has lifted

-me up. #

-APPLAUSE

-is the awarding

-of the Daniel Owen Memorial Medal.

-Yes, there was a worthy winner

-who had an emotional personal story.

-FANFARE

-APPLAUSE

-year was Ymbelydredd.

-And the work stemmed

-from Guto Dafydd's

-experiences in the hospital

-after he developed a tumour.

-something in the novel.

-I hope I've stayed true to this

-experience without any self-pity.

-I've tried being pioneering

-and inventive while writing

-a literary piece and tried to do

-something new in the Welsh language.

-You mentioned that

-personal experience.

-Was it difficult to write

-about something like that?

-Yes, it was difficult.

-The tumour was painful,

-it was a nuisance.

-I hoped the radiotherapy would work.

-But it was a six-week

-experience, ten minutes a day.

-The treatment was in Manchester and

-it was painful, it ruined my skin.

-I'm glad I managed to create

-something creative

-which will last

-longer than the pain.

-Every year, the Eisteddfod honours

-one very special individual

-with the awarding of

-the TH Parry Williams medal.

-This year, the recipient

-was Mair Carrington Roberts.

-It's difficult not to over-emphasise

-Mair's commitment to all kinds

-of eisteddfodau.

-Hundreds of children have benefited

-from her leadership.

-What drives you, Mair,

-after all the years of rehearsals

-and constantly reaching

-that high standard?

-Well, to some extent,

-because it is in my blood,

-music is in my blood,

-and I'm sure you know the same.

-It isn't something that you retire

-from and then do nothing.

-Over the years, I kept

-the connection outside my job,

-so I did some extra coaching.

-It has been a blessing to me

-because my retirement

-has been wonderful.

-continued on the stage,

-even after the sun set.

-The pinnacle of Tuesday night

-was Catrin Finch's show -

-Serenestial.

-Imagine if the sun was a ball

-of fire, the size of a football.

-Serenestial is a brand-new show.

-We had the idea of doing something

-about the planets last year.

-We've combined dance,

-music and lyrics.

-To me, it's like the Eisteddfod.

-You wander around the Maes

-and you see children

-singing and dancing,

-and that's what we've

-tried to do in this show.

-you feel as if things are hotting up

-for the young people.

-Overnight, they're here

-on Maes B with their tents.

-What's brilliant about this Maes,

-which is constantly developing,

-is that there's so many places

-where you can watch live bands.

-Everywhere.

-# Why is life so lovely? #

-much about Maes B,

-it's a music festival

-that's part of the Eisteddfod.

-The best Welsh singers

-all perform here.

-# Hold on tight...#

-How would you describe Maes B to

-anyone who hasn't been here before?

-It's so much fun.

-You see so many people

-and the line-up this year

-is really, really good.

-This year, it feels much

-more like a festival,

-a small festival for young people.

-It's fab.

-I'm really enjoying myself.

-Why do you come to Maes B?

-I've just come to immerse myself

-in Welsh music and to promote young

-Welsh talent because I don't think

-they have enough platforms

-to share their talent.

-It's a big question, I know.

-Good music and meeting old friends.

-Hello, Maes B.

-Are you OK?

-CHEERING

-Is everyone enjoying themselves?

-It's a way for everyone to have fun

-through the medium of Welsh

-and also, the music is brilliant

-and it changes people's

-opinions on Welsh music.

-It's fab, I just love it.

-MUSIC

-of Wednesday's winning performances.

-Plus we'll visit

-the caravan site

-and get a taste of

-some more concerts.

-.

-Wednesday at the Eisteddfod.

-Maybe the weather had been a bit

-mixed, but competing

-at the Eisteddfod was

-still consistently high.

-# There is my love in the valley...#

-Winning the Youth Choir under 25

-years was Cor Cytgan Clwyd,

-Denbighshire.

-# When Sion and I get married

-# The geese will have horns

-on their heads

-# The mountain hens

-will be white feathers

-# While the turkey

-will be the parson...#

-Many congratulations to them.

-Accepting the day's Blue Riband

-for those aged 16 under was

-Anwen Mai Thomas from Caerphilly.

-Here she is playing

-La Source by Zabel.

-is the Prose Medal ceremony.

-We are so pleased, once again,

-that there is a winner.

-I can tell you that Siencin's

-name is Eurig Salisbury.

-APPLAUSE

-Congratulations to Eurig.

-After the afternoon's big ceremony,

-all eyes turned to the late

-competitions, with the

-Musicians' Medal awarded

-to Gareth Olubunmi Hughes.

-# From the radio came the embers

-# Today came the waterproof waves

-# And the ocean's music came close

-# In the misty waves at midnight...#

-# Today came the waterproof waves

-A performance of Gareth's winning

-work being heard there.

-Also receiving acknowledgment

-in the Richard Burton prize

-was Rebecca Hayes from Cardiff,

-who performed her translation

-of People, Places and Things

-by Duncan Macmillan.

-For them, the show's over

-and I'm a disappointment.

-What do they know?

-What do they care about a widow

-from Brecon or a prisoner's wife

-struggling under their anguish?

-Pain is a disease.

-A den of darkness during

-daylight and mystery.

-Nobody ever sympathised with pain.

-prize was the man who won

-the Osborne Roberts last year,

-Robert Lewis of Llanfyllin.

-# As I listen to your cry

-# Be still, oh, wave

-# Only God can call my brother

-# The wave will then be still. #

-APPLAUSE

-# Place your head on your pillow

-# I'll put mine on my own

-# Then I'll look deep

-deep into your eyes

-# Oh, you are so good for me. #

-of the caravan site?

-Well, it's a close community.

-What I like about it is that

-everybody catches the same

-shuttle bus to go to

-the Eisteddfod every morning.

-It's a chance to have

-a chat with someone.

-No matter where in Wales you come

-from, you'll strike up

-a conversation with somebody

-you don't know.

-It's a friendly place, even though

-we don't know each other.

-We're all friends here.

-There's very much

-a community feeling here.

-After spending the night in Maes B,

-it's a lovely place to come

-to in the morning for a cup of tea

-and a shower.

-The caravan site is great for young

-families like ours.

-It's very safe.

-I can hang this out

-the window to dry.

-Queues for the shower.

-We've made some new friends

-with people in nearby caravans.

-We're going to have a

-barbecue for lunch now.

-We're going to have a

-We're on our way in now on the bus.

-I hope there won't be a queue.

-# The simple things

-are always the best...#

-People of all ages can meet up here.

-We've got youngsters

-and older people.

-And the dog.

-There's nothing like

-staying in the caravan.

-We come every year.

-Every year, we come

-to the caravan site.

-Nothing beats the caravan site.

-Oh, no.

-# Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo

-# Whoa, you are so good for me. #

-been quite an emotional one.

-Thursday, especially so.

-We had many memorable ceremonies.

-The Monmouthshire and District

-Science and Technology Medal

-is awarded to someone

-for his lifelong service

-to science through the medium

-of the Welsh language.

-Dr Guto Roberts.

-APPLAUSE

-It has been a memorable day for you.

-Yes, yes.

-I was so glad to see

-my family there.

-A day to remember.

-Yes, yes.

-The winner of the Learner

-of the Year is

-Hannah Roberts from Brynmawr.

-APPLAUSE

-much this means to you.

-It's unbelievable.

-It's completely unbelievable.

-It just goes to prove that

-hard work can pay off.

-Another emotional moment

-in the pavilion was seeing

-Elinor Jones, who's

-about to celebrate

-her 100th birthday,

-taking part

-in the recitation competition

-and then being serenaded

-by the audience.

-and then being serenaded

-# Happy birthday to you! #

-APPLAUSE

-to the competition,

-four men competed for

-the Osborne Roberts Prize this year.

-John Ieuan Jones, the baritone

-from Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay.

-The tenor, Huw Ynyr, from Dolgellau.

-Another tenor, Gethin

-Lewis from Carmarthen.

-But impressing the judges this year

-and winning the Blue Riband

-was Steffan Lloyd Owen

-from Gaerwen, Anglesey.

-# With nightfall looming

-# In its home in the glen

-# In the evening it dreams

-# Dreams of himself. #

-APPLAUSE

-I didn't expect to win the baritone

-solo yesterday, let alone

-going through to competing

-for the scholarship

-and then winning it.

-I'm on top of the world.

-So many famous singers have won this

-competition and now I'm on the list.

-Steffan also won the Lieder

-Solo over 19 years.

-He had an Eisteddfod to remember.

-was the Drama Medal.

-Accepting the award

-was Hefin Robinson from Carmarthen.

-director of National Theatre Wales,

-how important is the Eisteddfod

-week for you?

-It's all-important.

-It offers us a shop window.

-I meet old friends on the Maes

-and it's a chance for people from

-the theatre industry to meet up.

-It's important for us

-as a sector to come together

-and meet our audience, as it were.

-You will stage a play this year,

-the play that won

-last year, Brith Gof.

-What has the response been?

-It has gone down very well.

-To be honest with you,

-the response has been

-excellent every year.

-I think this tradition has now

-found its place and the audience

-is proud of it and pleased

-to see it being staged.

-That's an important link

-between us and the Eisteddfod.

-What do you want?

-Forgiveness?

-Did I say that?

-Maybe you don't want your guitar,

-but that's what she wants.

-Harmony is her nature.

-concerts, there has been so much

-variety over the years.

-But this year, on Thursday

-night, there was a gig.

-Yes, there was.

-We had bands playing.

-Yr Ods, Swnami, Candelas.

-Yes, and we had Huw

-Stephens leading it all.

-There was also a full

-orchestra on stage.

-So many people have talked

-about that evening.

-And do you know who enjoyed himself

-more than anyone?

-Yes?

-Dewi Llwyd!

-of my highlights of the week.

-People of all ages were in

-the pavilion, from seven to 70,

-enjoying themselves while listening

-to the three bands.

-An unforgettable evening.

-# Step by step

-# One by one

-the pieces fall into place

-# The perfect picture

-to fill the gap

-# Before opening

-the door to the crowd

-# Don't make the mistake

-# Don't believe it for one second

-# The empty words

-you're being fed...#

-Fantastic.

-I think Swnami were best.

-Amazing, it was brilliant.

-A memorable experience.

-When I was inside there,

-I felt that the Eisteddfod

-is really changing for the best.

-# You have to let go

-# But the claws of lies

-are holding tight

-# While the poison still flows...#

-I'd say the best thing was Candelas

-and the last song, Rhedeg i Paris.

-Everybody was on their feet

-and the atmosphere was electric.

-They changed the use

-of the pavilion for the first time

-and it's nice that the EIsteddfod

-has had such success

-and it's nice that the EIsteddfod

-with a concert like that.

-I think it's the start

-of something for the future.

-leaving my country

-# I want the chance to see the world

-# I'm running down

-the Champs Elysees

-# Looking for the Mona Lisa

-# Found the picture

-and seen the tower

-# I remember villages had been

-drowned under the water

-# There's no portrayal

-that can compare

-# And the chance to work for my home

-# Running up and then down

-# I'm running to Paris

-# Running away in order to come back

-# Running up and then down

-# I'm running to Paris

-# Running away in order to come back

-# I'm running to Paris. #

-You've been brilliant!

-Good night!

-.

-is always a big day

-with the Chairing ceremony.

-There's a lovely story

-to this year, as well.

-The chair has been given in memory

-of the chaired bard, Dic Jones.

-Coed Mihangel are yellow

-And the blue mist in the valley

-The thresher far away feeds my muse.

-he travels to go home

-The railway plain to see below

-where once where wheels.

-Dic, more than anyone else,

-would be pleased to hear

-would be pleased to hear

-there will be a chairing this year

-and that all three of us, Mei,

-Cathryn and myself are unanimous

-is worthy of the Eisteddfod chair.

-APPLAUSE

-you all know him.

-His name is Aneirin Karadog.

-APPLAUSE

-Aneirin Karadog, many people passing

-by are congratulating you.

-It must be a very special

-day, not only for you,

-but for everyone here.

-It's been a memorable day.

-Yes, the love shown

-by people is remarkable.

-I thought that before people found

-out about this, a person could call

-the Eisteddfod his or her own.

-It's an Eisteddfod for everyone.

-The tile of the ode was Borders,

-can you summarise it at all?

-What is its message?

-The message is, how could we be

-so cruel perhaps to our fellow man

-by bombing them and then be

-surprised when those

-displaced people

-come here looking for shelter.

-The lack of respect and love

-that we have seen over the year.

-But I weaved the terrible

-stories of the year -

-Paris, the Yazidi people in Iraq

-and Syria,

-as well as Tim Peake.

-He ties in with the lack

-of ability we have to be close

-because we're all

-too busy behind screens.

-From controlling drones

-from behind screens to being

-on our mobile phones.

-The chair will go home

-to Pontyberem, a very special chair,

-given in memory of Dic Jones.

-I was aware that Jean,

-Sian and the family had given

-the chair this year.

-The ode, Y Cynhaeaf,

-is one of the best odes ever written

-and to have any connection

-with Dic Jones is an honour.

-on Friday was the Blue Riband

-for those over 19 years.

-The trumpeter Gwyn Owen from Bangor

-won the award this year.

-APPLAUSE

-This year was yet another successful

-year for Dawnswyr Talog.

-After winning the Folk Dancing Group

-competition earlier

-in the week, they also won

-the Group Step Dancing competition.

-APPLAUSE

-The pavilion doors remained open

-until late on Friday night.

-The choirs stepped onto the stage,

-and winning the Cerdd Dant Choir

-competition were Lleisiau Tywi

-from Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.

-# So a pride can birth their lambs

-the land turns white

-# I will integrate, close the circle

-# Back to sow the green fields

-# I think I hear the raucous scream

-# I think I hear the raucous scream

-# Listen to the march

-of the machines

-# Their giant chorus in the fields

-# Listen to their

-crooning as they pass

-# And look how wonderfully they sow

-in the Alaw Werin Choir competition

-was Cor Canna from Cardiff.

-Among their pieces was

-Jeff Howard's arrangement

-of Ffarwel i Ddociau Lerpwl.

-# I am now going without haste

-to swim over the sea

-# Oh, come Mary to sail on the lake

-# The wind is blowing

-to fill the white sail

-# To fill the white sail

-# The wind is blowing to fill

-the white sail

-# Ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo. #

-APPLAUSE

-Many congratulations to Cor Canna.

-The standard of competing

-was extremely high that evening.

-And with their win, Cordydd

-paid the perfect tribute

-to the founder of the choir,

-Sioned James.

-# I can see the light

-of a brand-new day

-# I can see the light...#

-Cordydd's foundation

-was set by Sioned.

-Sioned's stamp will

-always be on Cordydd

-because Cordydd is Sioned's

-choir and that's how it

-will be for years to come.

-# I can see the light

-of a clear blue morning

-# I can see the light

-of a brand-new day

-# I can see the light

-of a clear blue morning

-# And everything's

-going to be alright

-# It's going to be all right. #

-# It's going to be all right. #

-APPLAUSE

-while leading a choir and to finish

-a performance like that and to see

-the audience's response.

-It was a true thrill for me.

-Sioned was a close friend,

-as she was to many of the choir's

-members, and I think we all had one

-thing on our minds tonight.

-awarded the title, Festival Choir.

-Were you here, I wonder,

-among the thousands, singing

-among the thousands, singing

-along with Huw Chiswell?

-He sang all the favourites,

-including his most

-famous song, Y Cwm.

-# How are you, old friend?

-# It's lovely to see

-you at home like this

-# We haven't met

-# Since you packed up and ran away

-# And I remember now

-# How we thought we were big boys

-# Walking with our fathers

-the long paths to the mines

-# Ooo, la-la-la

-# Nobody's sure of the truth

-# Why you went and left

-# Some have said

-# The valley wasn't big

-enough for a boy like Sion

-# Do you remember the time?

-# On the coal slopes

-# Scraping our knees

-while climbing up

-# Ooo, la-la-la

-# The rock stays solidly beneath us

-# And the love for the valley

-boils in our blood

-# The rock stays solidly beneath us

-# And the love for the valley boils

-in our blood. #

-in our blood. #

-

-Thank you very much, good night.

-.

-to make new friends

-and to have new experiences.

-I am very grateful

-to the Eisteddfod.

-# There's a soul on the mountain

-# Always, like the free breeze

-# We hear her melodies

-# In the rocks, left behind

-# She is a different Winni. #

-APPLAUSE

-He could picture the headlines

-the morning after the explosion,

-where he would undoubtedly be

-portrayed and described

-as a Welshman, not a Brit.

-The first Welsh suicide bomber ever.

-Home is the battlefield now.

-APPLAUSE

-# Di-wec-ffal-di-lal-lal-la

-# Di-wec-ffal-di-lal-lal

-la-la-la-la. #

-APPLAUSE

-for soloists over 25 years

-is the David Ellis Memorial Prize -

-the Blue Riband.

-Securing their place

-in the competition after winning

-their own categories -

-Kate Griffiths from Corwen.

-their own categories -

-Kees Huysmans from Lampeter.

-Rachel Moras from Swansea.

-Efan Williams from Lledrod.

-Kees Huysmans was fully

-deserving of the Blue Riband.

-# While they in the regions above

-# Live on without sorrow or strife

-# And we, in remembrance and love

-# Praise God for

-the joy of their life

-# The joy of their life. #

-# The joy of their life. #

-APPLAUSE

-for the male voice choirs

-to show off their talents.

-Eight choirs performed on stage,

-but winning over the judges

-this year

-was Cor y Brythoniaid

-from Blaenau Ffestiniog.

-# And the beams radiating

-in a dance on the dry grass

-# Before climbing surely to

-the clear rocks of the highest land

-# The uplifting towers

-above the still depths

-# We arrive and feel the breeze

-# That circles creation

-# We wait for its breath

-# To purify and enliven us. #

-# To purify and enliven us. #

-APPLAUSE

-has been winning linguistic ground.

-Nobody summarised the situation

-better than

-the Deputy Archdruid,

-Christine James.

-I've mentioned before the first

-story in the Mabinogion,

-the sound of the wave.

-I think it refers to

-the Severn Bore, this wave that

-flows up the River Severn

-from the sea.

-It bucks the trend.

-And I think that's what we've got to

-do with the Welsh language in Gwent,

-we need a huge wave

-of Welshness to flow

-through the county once again.

-I've really enjoyed it.

-I've enjoyed all the preparation

-work that's gone into the Eisteddfod

-and experiencing the wonderful

-atmosphere on the Maes.

-I'll remember all the lovely

-learners I've spoken to,

-those who are enthusiastic

-about the Eisteddfod,

-those who returned to the Eisteddfod

-and those who attended

-for the first time, the children,

-the young people.

-I had friends come to the Eisteddfod

-for the first time and they were

-surprised and amazed by it and how

-fantastic it is.

-But after seeing Frank Olding

-on stage yesterday, and he's been

-at it for two years, I think it's

-been a Frank-tastic Eisteddfod!

-of the Eisteddfod, the language

-and everything associated with that.

-It's brought people together,

-be they Welsh speaking

-or non-Welsh speaking.

-Most of the fundraising events

-we held have been bilingual.

-It has brought a lot

-of people together.

-It's 100 years since the Eisteddfod

-came here last, but for the young

-of the Flower Dance, those who took

-part in the Meithrin concert

-on Sunday, I hope they'll remember

-this Eisteddfod for the rest

-of their lives.

-I hope it has a long-term

-effect on the area.

-Yes, the executive committee has

-done some exemplary work.

-Unfortunately, our time this

-evening has come to an end,

-but we have appreciated the welcome

-we received here in Monmouthshire.

-Oh, yes.

-Looking back, it's been

-an emotional Eisteddfod and one that

-We now turn our sights

-from Monmouthshire to Anglesey.

-From the both of us

-and the whole team, good night.

-Good night.

-# When the night's just starting

-# And the day comes to an end

-# The sound of a guitar

-keeps me company

-# We'll sing old songs

-# A longing in my heart

-and the night is late

-# With a bonfire in the summer

-# The fire crackles

-and smoke fills the sky

-# In the company of

-the full moon and the stars

-# We'll escape into a magical dream

-# Captive to the magical melody

-# While the flame

-still burns on the fire

-# I'll still be singing my song

-# While the flame still

-warms us with its heat

-# I'll feel you moving closer

-# Come closer

-# If the flame

-extinguishes with the dawn

-# The ashes will never keep us down

-# Down. #