In a month’s time, thousands of people will be travelling to north Powys in order to compete and enjoy themselves at the National Urdd Eisteddfod.

To celebrate, 2,190 children from Montgomeryshire have been busy recording a jamboree song to welcome visitors to one of Europe’s largest youth festivals.

The Urdd has released the video of ‘Dewch draw i’r ’Steddfod ym Maldwyn’ (‘Come along to the Eisteddfod in Maldwyn’) which has been co-ordinated between the 38 schools and Menter Iaith Maldwyn.

“The project has been a lot of fun!” said project leader Rhian Davies. “Thirty-eight local primary schools jumped at the chance to be part of the project.

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Watch the video

“Everyone was proud to show their support for the Urdd Eisteddfod, are delighted it’s coming to Maldwyn, and enjoyed singing and dancing to the catchy music.

“Some of Maldwyn’s towns and villages are included in the song, but we really hope that hearing amusing names like Glantwymyn and Adfa, Cegidfa (Guilsfield) and Llandrinio will make visitors curious and want to explore the area and get to know the area better.”

The song was co-written by Ann Fychan and composer Rhydian Meilir, winner of Cân i Cymru 2022 and composer of the Eisteddfod’s youth show.

Brought up in Bro Ddyfi and a former pupil of Ysgol Glantwymyn, Rhydian is thrilled to see local children performing and recording the song.

Rhydian said: “I was delighted to be given the opportunity to work on a song to raise people’s awareness of the Eisteddfod coming to Maldwyn, and enjoyed the process of producing the song and hearing the children singing it as we toured the schools.

County Times: Ysgol Llanidloes pupils having a boogie with Mistar Urdd.Ysgol Llanidloes pupils having a boogie with Mistar Urdd. (Image: Urdd/Menter Iaith Maldwyn)

County Times: Berriew Primary School dancing away to the official Urdd song.Berriew Primary School dancing away to the official Urdd song. (Image: Urdd/Menter Iaith Maldwyn)

 

Did you spot these schools?

  1. Welshpool CiW Primary School
  2. Abermule School
  3. Arddleen School
  4. Ysgol Pontrobert
  5. Ysgol Carno
  6. Ysgol Pennant
  7. Penygloddfa School, Newtown
  8. St Michael's CiW Primary School, Kerry
  9. Ysgol Llanidloes
  10. Ysgol Rhiw Bechan, Tregynon
  11. Guilsfield Primary School
  12. Montgomery Primary School
  13. Ysgol Carreghofa
  14. Ysgol Dyffryn Trannon, Trefeglwys 
  15. Ysgol Bro Caereinion, Llanfair Caereinion
  16. Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd, Newtown
  17. Ysgol Caersws
  18. Brynhafren Primary School, Crewgreen
  19. Ysgol Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant
  20. Ysgol Glantwymyn
  21. Ysgol Treowen, Newtown
  22. Ysgol Llanfyllin
  23. Ysgol Cwm Banwy, Llangadfan
  24. Ysgol Llandysilio
  25. Ysgol Calon y Dderwen, Newtown 
  26. Berriew School
  27. Ysgol Bro Hyddgen, Machynlleth
  28. Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng, Welshpool
  29. Ysgol Meifod
  30. Llansantffraid Primary School
  31. Maesyrhandir Primary School, Newtown
  32. Ysgol Bro Cynllaith, Llansilin
  33. St Mary's Primary School, Newtown
  34. Buttington Trewern Primary School
  35. Forden CiW Primary School
  36. Ysgol Llanbrynmair
  37. Ysgol Llanfechain
  38. Llandinam Primary School

County Times: Montgomery Primary School.Montgomery Primary School. (Image: Urdd/Menter Iaith Maldwyn)

County Times: Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng, Welshpool.Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng, Welshpool. (Image: Urdd/Menter Iaith Maldwyn)

“It was great to work with Ann Fychan as well and write the tune to support her lyrics.”

Several schools along the Welsh border have taken part and are participating in the Urdd’s activities for the first time, which is crucial according to Llio Maddocks, Urdd Director of the Arts.

“As an organisation we want to make our work accessible to every child and young person in Wales,” Llio said.

“As the Eisteddfod moves from area to area it is an opportunity for us to reach out to children who have not taken part in the festival and give them the opportunity to experience activities such as this.

“The children’s enjoyment can be seen so clearly in the video and we as organisers are so glad they’re excited to welcome everyone to Meifod this year.”

The Urdd is very grateful to all pupils and teachers as well as Rhian Davies, Rhydian Meilyr and Ann Fychan for all their work.

The song will also be BBC Radio Cymru’s Track of the Week from Monday, May 20.