JUST over six months since Rhondda Cynon Taf hosted “The Best Eisteddfod Ever” and the cultural festival’s immediate benefits – and its longer-term legacy – have been detailed.
Increased footfall, more visitors to attractions, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for thousands of residents, greater engagement in Welsh Language and culture and changed perceptions of what RCT has to offer are the headlines from the Impact and Legacy of the National Eisteddfod report presented to Cabinet.
Ynysangharad War Memorial Park hosted the National Eisteddfod from August 3-10 last year, bringing people together from not only across Wales and the UK, but also from places including Argentina, Norway, Germany and the USA.
The urban-style Eisteddfod was considered a first of its kind, with the park transformed into the main Maes, surrounded by the shops, places to eat and drink and cultural attractions of historic Pontypridd
Excellent transport links and exclusive offers at attractions encouraged guests to explore the whole county borough, enjoying a range of things to see and do, places to socialise and stunning landscapes.
Meanwhile innovative partnership work and use of grant funding enabled thousands of residents of all ages to experience the magical spectacle of Europe’s largest cultural festival for themselves – as visitors, performers and volunteers.
The important report outlines:
- Footfall of 182,012 in Pontypridd town centre for the week of the Eisteddfod – 115,554 more than the same week the year before.
- The achievement of Rhondda Cynon Taf’s communities, helping to fundraise £332,000 for the Eisteddfod.
- 13,507 FREE entry tickets provided to Rhondda Cynon Taf families.
- 503 people given the chance to volunteer on the Maes – and continue their community work afterwards
- 250 young people involved with the Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Music Service performing in the Eisteddfodd – the majority of whom attend English Medium schools.
- Visitors were encouraged to explore all that RCT had to offer, with discounted access to attractions for Eisteddfod ticket holders. Visitor numbers at A Welsh Coal Mining Experience at Rhondda Heritage Park Museum increased by 46 per cent during Eisteddfod week, compared to the same week the year before. Nearly 70 per cent of all visitors from August 3-10 had Eisteddfod tickets.
- Almost 43,000 Eisteddfod visitors were transported to and from the Maes safely and effectively thanks to the bespoke Park and Ride service established by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.
- 2,365 people stayed on the main Eisteddfod camping and caravan site and 1,900 young people stayed on the Maes B campsite, enjoying live music and entertainment.
- Two of the three main trophies at the Eisteddfod were won by Rhondda Cynon Taf residents. Gwynfor Dafydd of Tonyrefail won Seremoni’r Coroni/The Crowning Ceremony and Eurgain Haf, who lives in Pontypridd won Medal Ryddiaith/Prose’s Medal.
- Other local Eisteddfod winners included: Nathan James Deardon (Tonyrefail): Tlws y Cyfansoddwr/Composer’s Trophy, Rachel Stephens (Treherbert): Solo from a Welsh Musical, Cor Merched Cwm Rhondda (Treorchy): SAA Choir, Cor Dysgwyr y Cymoedd (Pontypridd): Welsh Learners’ Choir, Ysgol Llanhari: Folkdancing and Dimensions Performance Academy (Pontypridd) who won two dance competitions.
- People of all ages made their mark in a mural that was based on artwork from local artist Sion Tomos Owen. Visitors to the RCT Village at Canolfan Calon Taf were invited to colour in a part of the mural, which is now being displayed in libraries across the county borough.
- Businesses who showed their support for the Eisteddfod, learning and using Welsh, showcasing the county borough and offering a warm welcome to guests to be commended in an awards ceremony.
Cllr Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and Welsh Language, said: “Hosting the Eisteddfod in Pontypridd was ambitious, but we knew we had the expertise and community support to not only make it happen, but make it amazing!
“The magic and individuality of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod was summed up by S4C, which hailed it the “Best Eisteddfod Ever”. It is pleasing to see the tangible differences the event made in real time, with increased footfall in the town centre and at visitor attractions.
“Just as important are the residents who were able to experience the festival for free, or competed/performed on the Maes, leaving the Eisteddfod with a new-found confidence in their existing Welsh language skills and a deeper connection with Welsh language and culture as a result.
“Business that got on board, using their Welsh skills and delivering the warm Welsh welcome for which we are rightly famed will be celebrated at the awards and we hope they are proud of the incredible feedback from Eisteddfod visitors, who had such an amazing time in Rhondda Cynon Taf, they continue to return to spend time here now, six months on.
“As we move towards delivering the longer-term legacies of the Eisteddfod, building on our already-strong connections with Welsh language and culture, we want our communities to stay engaged, continue to develop their language skills, to perform, to learn and to celebrate.”
Osian Rowlands, Chief Executive of Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf said: “The Eisteddfod succeeded in creating a buzz throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf, and taking a big step for the local people to raise their confidence in using the Welsh language they have and see that Welsh is more than a school language.
"Volunteers in all parts of the County worked hard to raise money, held events that were there offered opportunities for people to experience and hear the Welsh language – alongside English - and seeing and hearing so many local people visiting the Eisteddfod Field was very special.
"The Welsh language belongs to everyone in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and this special week was proof of that."
Here is your chance to have youe say on your experience of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod. Please click this link to find a short survey. We welcome feedback from everyone - business owner or an RCT resident
Posted on 19/03/2025