Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru
Tyddewi,Sir Benfro Awst 3-10, 2002

The National Eisteddfod of Wales
St David's, Pembrokeshire
August 3rd-10th, 2002

Barbara Shaw, Mentenor a'n Ertach, Scryvynyades a'n Orseth, and Ted Chapman, Glywys Venta, Web Site Manager, were the delegates representing Gorseth Kernow. The Breton Gorsedd was also represented, as were the Celtic Congress Nations of Eire and the Isle of Man, and for the first time, the Gorsedd in Patagonia.
trumpets

We discovered that we had much in common, and were able to discuss matters over breakfast, as accommodation had been arranged at the same hotel in Abergwaun (Fisgard). We also shared meals in the hospitality tent, most notable being the Derbyniad Gorsedd y Beirdd/Gorsedd of Bards Reception on Tuesday evening, and attended several concerts together.

The highlights included The National Eisteddfod Choir and Orchestra performing Rossini's Stabat Mater and Beethoven's Mass in C on Sunday evening; a wonderful evening of music on Tuesday in St. David's Cathedral when the National Youth Choir of Wales performed; a presentation on Thursday of Caneuon i Gymru - past winning songs from a popular competition - rather like the European Song Contest; the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera on Friday; a gala of Competitions on Saturday and Y Gymanfa Ganu, an evening of congregational hymn singing on Sunday, which was a truly moving experience in a packed pavilion, holding 2,000 enthusiastic Welsh people and a choir of 200.

There were five important ceremonies, the first of which took place in brilliant sunshine at 9 o'clock on Monday morning, when we walked in procession to the Cylch yr Orsedd/Gorsedd Circle. Many Ovates, Bards and Druids were invited, amongst the most interesting being the Archbishop of Wales, the Right Reverend Rowan Williams, Archbishop designate of Canterbury.

In the afternoon we had the Seremoni i groesawu'r Dirprwywyr o'r gwledydd Celtaidd a Phatagonia a Seremoni'r Coroni/Ceremony to welcome the Representatives of the Celtic Nations and Patagonia and the Crowning Ceremony.

This was the Scryvynyades' moment of fame, when she had to give her greetings from Cornwall to a packed Pavilion and the television cameras!

 

Message to the Welsh Eisteddfod: August 5th 2002

Prynhawn da. Diolch am eich croeso.

Abarth an Orseth Kernow yth of-vy pur lowen bos omma yn Kembry, kens oll y'n le an moyha ar bennek-ma, Sen Davyth, dhe dhry gorhemmynadow adhyworth an Barth Mur, ha'm kesvyrth y'n Orseth. Ny a geslowenha gans Robyn Llyn, rag y exaltyans dhe'n soth a Arghdrewyth, ha re'n jeffo termyn lowen y'n soth-ma.

Y wherfyth y'n vledhen a dhe an pymthegves penbloth ha tryugans a'gan selyans, pan stallyas Pedrog, Arghdrewyth Breten, agan Gorseth yn felshyp gans Kembry ha Breten Vyghan, Henry Jenner ow pos agan kensa Barth Mur.

Ny a wayt y whra lyes ahanough dos dhe ry gweres dhyn solempnya an treveth fortynys-ma, an Kensa de Sadorn yn mys Gwyngala, deu vyl ha try, dhe Lanstefan, an hen vamdra a Gernow.

Kernow Bys Vykken, Cymru am Byth. Diolch yn fawr.

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On behalf of the Gorseth of Cornwall I am most happy to be here in Wales, especially in this very special location, St. David's, to bring greetings from the Grand Bard and fellow bards in the Gorseth. We congratulate Robyn Llyn on his elevation to the position of Archdruid, and wish him well in his term of office.

Next year will be the 75th Anniversary of our foundation, when Pedrog, Archdruid of Britain, inducted our Gorseth into fellowship with Wales and Brittany, Henry Jenner being our first Grand Bard.

We do hope that many of you will come to help us celebrate this auspicious occasion on the first Saturday in September, 2003, at Launceston, once the ancient capital of Cornwall.

 

During the week there were other ceremonies: on Wednesday afternoon the Seremoni'r Fedal Ryddiaith/Prose Medal Ceremony; on Friday there should have been a procession to the circle, but the weather had changed, so we were forced indoors; nevertheless the Ceremony was spectacular, especially the dancing by twenty-four pretty girls and separate dancing by twenty-four energetic boys. In the afternoon came the climax of the week's ceremonial - Seremoni'r Cadeirio/Chairing Ceremony. A most unusual and somewhat controversial chair had been designed using various coloured granite, which was vastly different from the usual carved, wooden designs of previous years.

It was an honour to be a delegate and a tremendous experience to have participated in a week-long celebration of Welsh culture, language and heritage, to be aware that Welsh people are imbued with a tangible pride in their history and their surroundings, and have a positive determination to make progress.

The Archdruid Robyn Llyn was a gracious host and everyone we came in contact with gave us a warm welcome, being most helpful re information on the language, other aspects of our common culture and the chough!

Finally, Barbara and Keith Shaw were determined to find some choughs whilst walking along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, but it was at Llangrannog in Cardiganshire that they saw about a dozen in flight, and quite close up feeding on the short grass at the cliff's edge - what marvellous moments!

 

Barbara Shaw - Scryvynyades - Secretary

Mentenor a'n Ertach - Supporter of the Heritage

 

 

For pictures from Pembrokeshire, August 2002, click on the links below.