Llŷn and Eifionydd Eisteddfod Honorary Presidents Announced

The five are well known to people across the region and further afield, and have been invited because of their contribution to the cultural life of the area and to the Welsh language locally:

Gwilym H Griffith: A narrator and drama producer from Llwyndyrys known across the country as Gwilym Plas. He spent his life farming at Plas Newydd in Garnguwch, and trained, with his wife Jean, several generations of llefarwyr. Two notable cultural highlight in his life have been organising a tour presenting Wil Sam's play in Patagonia and receiving the Sir TH Parry-Williams Memorial Medal at the Eryri National Eisteddfod in 2005.

Ken Hughes: Ken was headteacher at Ysgol Eifion Wyn, Porthmadog for over twenty years, providing a wide range of experiences for the pupils, with our language and culture running through everything. He remains an active supporter of culture and the Pethe, serving as Chair of the 2016 Gŵyl Gerdd Dant, directing the children's show for the Urdd, as well as supporting the Llŷn and Eifionydd Eisteddfod. We all got to know Ken, thanks to a documentary, Ken Hughes yn Cadw ni Fynd, his video diary during the lockdown period.

Carys Jones: Carys founded the famous Aelwyd in Chwilog with Pat Jones, and enjoyed many successful years at various Eisteddfodau, with choirs, parties and soloists. One of our leading Cerdd Dant experts, Carys has conducted a number of groups and parties, including Parti’r Lôn Goed and Chwiban, and enjoyed teaching local children at her home for many years. She was awarded the John and Ceridwen Hughes Memorial Trophy at the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Bala in 2014 for her contribution to her area.

Esyllt Maelor: Esyllt came from Harlech to Abersoch and is one of the 'Rabar girls', educated at Ysgol Abersoch, Sarn Bach and Botwnnog. She worked on various education projects but her real passion is working with children and young people. She owes a great deal of debt to her pupils for inspiring her and for showing the importance of words. She believes that every child can write and is proud of the achievements of her former pupils who have continued to write and contribute to their communities.

Rhian Parry: One of our leading llefarwyr in Wales, Rhian is a strong supporter of the Eisteddfod and the Pethe locally and nationally. She coaches individuals and recitation parties, and founded the Genod Llŷn recitation choir, which has competed regularly for nearly twenty years. She is a national adjudicator, an experienced presenter on stage in the Pavilion, and a former winner of the Llwyd o’r Bryn Prize and the Lady Ruth Herbert Lewis Memorial Prize on the Eisteddfod stage.

Betsan Moses, Eisteddfod Chief Executive, said, “It’s important to recognise the contribution of key individuals to culture and the language locally.  These are people who work tirelessly all the time, whether an Eisteddfod is being held or not.  They help to support, sustain and develop our language and culture in the area.

“It gives us great pleasure to announce the names of next year’s Honorary Presidents, and a chance to thank them for their commitment, their work, their support and their enthusiasm over the years.  We look forward to working together over the next year as the Eisteddfod approaches.”

The Llŷn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod is held in Boduan from 5-12 August next year.  For more information go online, www.eisteddfod.wales.