The 74th Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod was held at the Victoria Hall on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

The event was well attended, with a high standard of competitors maintained throughout the day.

Local winners Iori Hughes and Noa Rhys Price with, from left, Gill Lloyd, Chris Davies, Cath Williams, Lynda Pace Avery, Philip Watkins, Susan Price, Hywel Davies, Jonathan Morgan, Dr Delyth Hurley, Kate Knight, Gaenor Morris-Watkins and Heather Davis
Local winners Iori Hughes and Noa Rhys Price with, from left, Gill Lloyd, Chris Davies, Cath Williams, Lynda Pace Avery, Philip Watkins, Susan Price, Hywel Davies, Jonathan Morgan, Dr Delyth Hurley, Kate Knight, Gaenor Morris-Watkins and Heather Davis (.)

The morning session, conducted by Mrs Gill Lloyd, former headteacher at Ysgol Dôlafon, saw local children competing. The cup given by Dr Delyth Hurley, Cardiff, for the most outstanding competitor of the morning session was won by Noa Rhys Price, Llanwrtyd.

Iori Hughes, Llanwrtyd, was the winner of the Foundation Phase Cup, given by Mrs Alison Underhill, a former teacher at Ysgol Dôlafon.

Gaenor and Philip Watkins, Llandovery, adjudicated the writing and stage competitions during the morning session, with Kate Knight, Llanwrtyd, adjudicating the art and handwriting competitions.

Young people from the wider catchment area competed in the afternoon session, with Enfys Davies conducting, and the standard was high. The adjudicators, Jessica Robinson and Daniel O’Callaghan, awarded the Charcroft Electronics Ltd Cup to Mari Fflur Thomas, Cardiff, for the most outstanding competitor of the afternoon session.

Charcroft Electronics Ltd has been a generous sponsor of the Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod for many years.

The presidents at this year’s Eisteddfod were Llanwrtyd Town Mayor, Cllr Lynda Pace Avery, in the morning, and local MP David Chadwick in the evening session. Both congratulated the committee members on their hard work and persistence in organising this annual event, thus ensuring that some of our old and best traditions are passed on to future generations.

At the evening session, conducted by Steve Mason and Elin Mair Mabbutt, Gwyn Jones, Llanafan, won the Hymn Tune Solo for competitors over 60, with Ioan Mabbutt, Aberystwyth, winning the Welsh Solo. Elen Fflur, Llandeilo, gained first prize in the Champion Recitation, and David Mayberry from Maesteg won the Champion Solo. Brychan Williams, Lampeter, won the Solo from a Musical.

Gracie Jones with Sion and Huw Elias and their prizes
Gracie Jones with Sion and Huw Elias and their prizes (.)

Thanks go to Builth Wells Ladies Choir, conducted by Ionwen Davies, for supporting the Eisteddfod again this year, and congratulations to them on winning the choir competition.

Builth Ladies Choir, conducted by Ionwen Davies, competing at Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod
Builth Ladies Choir, conducted by Ionwen Davies, competing at Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod (.)

Llinos Dafydd, Croeslan near Llandysul, won the Chair, this being the second time she has done so at the Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod, having previously won in 2004. This year, she had written a poem entitled ‘The Seasons’.

Llinos is a journalist and translator and now writes online.

Congratulations to Llinos, and also to Mark Ford from Pontarddulais and Carwyn Tywyn from Burry Port, who were joint second-prize winners.

Special thanks go to Heather Davis, the accompanist for the morning session, and to Jonathan Morgan, the accompanist for the afternoon and evening sessions. Thanks also to County Cllr Peter James for providing midday lunches for the adjudicators and accompanists at the Drovers Rest, Llanwrtyd.

Towards the end of the Eisteddfod, chairman Hywel Davies thanked everyone who had contributed in any way towards the success of the event – the competitors, sponsors, conductors, stewards, committee members and friends who served refreshments in the kitchen.

Next year’s Llanwrtyd Eisteddfod will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2027. For further details, please contact the secretary, Susan Price, on 01591 610303.