Eisteddfod Powys 2022
WALES’S OLDEST EISTEDDFOD – BACK WITH A BANG
After a long wait, we are delighted to announce that Eisteddfod Talaith a Chadair Powys will return
in the flesh. After two years without a traditional Eisteddfod – there is great anticipation for this
year’s Eisteddfod, which will be held at the Stiwt in Rhosllannerchrugog on Friday and Saturday,
15th-16th of July.
Aled Lewis Evans, on behalf of the Working Committee stated that they are ready and full of
enthusiasm to deliver the Eisteddfod, “Even though we have lost the wise and enthusiastic
leadership of our Chairman Aled Rhys Roberts, we are united as a committee to ensure that the
festival will find fruition this year, despite the hole left by the pandemic. Hosting Wales’s oldest
Eisteddfod is an opportunity for us to remember Aled Roberts’s vision, and the beneficial work he
did for the Welsh language during his time as Welsh Commissioner. It will be a joyful occasion for
our community, and we hope to get support from the current and historic Powys in July. We
welcome competitors from all parts of Wales to the festival, that will be held in the remarkable Stiwt
building in Rhosllannerchrugog.”
Rhian Davies, Communications Officer for Eisteddfod Powys added, “It has been a long and trying
time since the last Eisteddfod Powys was held in Llangadfan in 2019. The gap was breached
somewhat with a fantastic virtual Eisteddfod in 2021 – where we saw over 1200 items and
competitors take part – but everyone is keen to have a ‘real’ Eisteddfod once again. Taking part in
Eisteddfods, running from one pre-lim to another and disagreeing with the adjudicator’s decision is
all part of our identity as Welsh people! The small local Eisteddfods provide an invaluable stage to
develop grass root talent.”
Originally the aim was to hold the Eisteddfod in Rhosllannerchrugog back in 2020, to celebrate
Eisteddfod Powys’s 200th birthday. Even though this is the first time that the Eisteddfod will be held
in Rhos, the Eisteddfod’s Cymrodoriaeth (Governing body) were keen to see the bi-centenary
Eisteddfod held in the county of Wrexham because the first ever Eisteddfod Powys was held in
Wrexham itself. It is believed that this was done due to the generous sponsorship of the event by Sir
Watcyn Williams Wynne of the Wynnstay Estate at Ruabon.
But we hear you ask – why hold Eisteddfod Powys in Wrexham? Eisteddfod Powys is the only
remaining provincial Eisteddfod that still exists- but not the Powys as we know it today. The
Eisteddfod’s catchment area refers to olden times, and the ancient areas of Powys Fadog and Powys
Wenwynwyn. Roughly the area covered is what is currently referred to as Montgomeryshire, over
the Berwyn to the Bala area, most of Wrexham County, with a bit of Denbighshire and the
Llangollen/Corwen region, and half of Flintshire, including Mold and Treuddyn, and over the border
to Oswestry. Competitors form across the region are expected to compete, and a warm welcome is
extended to competitors from all over Wales and beyond!
Rhian Davies added, “The timing of this Eisteddfod is great for anyone who has tasted success at the
Urdd Eisteddfod, or for those who are looking for constructive adjudication before competing at the
National Eisteddfod. There are also great cash prizes to be won. We are hopeful for a great year of
competing, with everybody keen to get back to the Eisteddfod stage.” Type: Community Event
Heading: Traditional
Date: 15th / 16th July
Time: Various
Ticket Price: Adult ticket £ 6 per session. Saturday Ticket £ 10. Free school age children.
The Eisteddfod will be held over 3 sessions-Friday, Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening session.
Pay cash or card payments will be available at the door. Tickets will not be available in advance.
Stiwt Box Office: 01978 841300
www.Stiwt.com