The Chairing of the Bard (Welsh: Cadeirio’r Bardd) is one of the most important events in the Welsh eisteddfod tradition. The most famous chairing ceremony takes place at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, and is always on the Friday afternoon of Eisteddfod week.[1] Winners are referred to as Y Prifardd(literally “The Chief Bard”).

A new bardic chair is specially designed and made for each eisteddfod and is awarded to the winning entrant in the competition for the Awdl, poetry written in a strict metre form known as cynghanedd.

The National Eisteddfod ceremony is presided over by the Archdruid, who reads the judges’ comments before announcing the identity of the bard, using only the nom de plume that the winner has used to submit the work. Up to this point, no one knows the true identity of the bard, who is asked to stand and is then escorted to the stage. Local children perform a dance to honour the new bard.

Winning the “double” of bardic chair and crown at the same eisteddfod is a feat that has only been performed a handful of times in the history of the eisteddfod. Alan Llwyd and Donald Evans have each performed the double twice.

It is possible to view a very special bardic chair at The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth which is the Maori bardic chair awarded a the Caernarfon National Eisteddfod in 1935.

This particular Chair was won in 1935 by the Reverend E Gwyndaf Evans (1913-1986) for his poem ‘Magdalen’, the youngest poet ever to have won that honour.

The chair has a particularly unusual history: carved and designed in New Zealand using authentic Maori symbols, it was presented by the Welsh exiles of New Zealand in honour of Lady Bledisloe (Alina Kate Elaine Cooper-Smith née Jenkins), the wife of the Governor General and the first Welshwoman to work in the diplomatic service in that country, between 1930 and 1935.

It was carved by Maori craftsmen from the wood of the Tatara tree with decorative eyes from the Paua shell.

The Maori Chair

It was Gwyndaf’s wish that this chair and his portrait as Archdruid of Wales should be presented to the National Library. Both these items have now been transferred to Aberystwyth following the death of Mrs Evans his widow, by their children.

The National Library will have a presence throughout the week at the Eisteddfod where we will be  promoting  our  resources from afar.

This will enable us to introduce Welsh Newspapers Online as a resource that will enable anyone interested in the history and people of Wales to browse and search through over 100 titles of its rich collection of newspapers before 1910 – and that free of charge. This project is the largest digitization project for the Library to undertake.

The project Welsh Newspapers Online Library contributes to the far-reaching vision to become the first nation to digitize all of its print products are published and shared for free on the web.

This year sees a new stand at the Eisteddfod – COPY.  Copy will offer the opportunity to purchase a DVD copy of eisteddfod competitions, ceremonies and concerts.

This service is offered by the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales, with the

co-operation of the National Eisteddfod of Wales and BBC Wales.

The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales, located in the National Library of Wales, became th home to this complete collection of activities is – a collection dating back to the competitions at the Anglesey National Eisteddfod in1999.

Not only can one purchase copies of this year’s event, but also the option to buy copies of items of any Eisteddfod since 1999. It will also be possible to contact the Screen and Sound Archive after the Eisteddfod week to order.

You will also be very welcome to visit the shop on the Library stand during the course of the week.

You will enjoy browsing at new products that have been specially created from the Library’s collections, Ewenny Pottery, greeting cards and Christmas cards,

Two unique prints may be purchased that have been created specifically for the Library.

1.’It is only through revolutionary means that we can succeed’ -  an  excerpt from a lecture

‘It is only through revolutionary means that we can succeed’

delivered by Saunders Lewis in 1962 entitled: ‘Fate of the Language’

This is to coincide with our current exhibition Dot Dot Dash: Communication in Wales.

2. A specially created poster featuring a poem by John Ceiriog Hughes (Ceiriog)  entitled ‘A Mountain Brook’ compiled by the local artist Lizzie Spikes.

To coincide with the Autumn exhibition of four important Medieval Manuscripts a print has been commissioned especially for the Library entitled ‘Pais Dinogad’ by Valeriane Leblond.

This is an unusual lullaby from an early manuscript found in the book of Aneurin where a mother tells her son about his father’s prowess as a hunter and warrior.

We look forward to welcoming you to The National Library stand at the Eisteddfod during the course of the week.

Pais – Dinogad

If you cannot visit the Eisteddfod in Denbigh then you can also browse online at: www.llgc.org.uk / shop

Will you be among the thousands visiting this year’s Royal Welsh Show?

If so, how about visiting the Library’s stand to take advantage of what we have to offer – and of course all free of charge!

We will be focusing on the ‘Library from afar’ – how to take advantage of the Library’s facilities on the web, which includes our latest addition ‘Welsh newspapers online.’  If you’ve ever wondered about how to search for your family history, or the history of your house or property, the Library’s experts will be at hand to advise.

As Anglesey is this year’s sponsored county, we will have an exhibition featuring the family history of the show’s president, Wyn Jones of Castellior, Menai Bridge.

You’ll find us on stand E360, immediately behind the main grandstand, so see you there!

Recently, we have received several comments about the possibility of extending our opening hours in the evenings. This is something which the Library has considered, but at present, current resources do not allow us to extend our opening hours in the evening. We have now, however, reopened on a Saturday between 9.30 – 5.00, so please do come and visit us.

Summer 2013 – February 2014

The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth will exhibit the works of John Cowper Powys and The Oxford Book of Welsh Verse during the forthcoming months.

Writers of Wales looks at the history of The Oxford Book of Welsh Verse which was published fifty years ago, and at the varied reaction to Sir Thomas Parry’s notable anthology; a publication which is still widely used in schools and universities across Wales.

The exhibition includes the original manuscripts of some of the poems that appeared in The Oxford Book of Welsh Verse, letters showing the relationship between Sir Thomas Parry and the Clarendon Press as well as a number of notable Welsh figures, reviews of the anthology, and some of the history of other poetry anthologies in the Welsh Language.

The exhibition also features the work of John Cowper Powys. The author of novels, poetry, philosophical works and essays, Cowper Powys published over fifty literary works in his lifetime, but his strange imagination and writing style has led to him being described as a form of literary Marmite.

This exhibition presents manuscripts of some of Cowper Powys’s most famous novels, Wolf Solent and A Glastonbury Romance, and also aims to reveal aspects of his personal life through letters to his life companion, Phyllis Playter, and literary figures such as E.E. Cummings and Henry Miller, along with the diaries he kept whilst living in America and north Wales.

His connection with Wales through his father’s family and his time living in north Wales had a great influence on John Cowper Powys, and in this exhibition it becomes clear how Wales’s history and mythology came to affect his literary work.

The Oxford Book of Welsh Verse was first published in 1962, but it was in 1963 that the most trenchant criticism of it would emerge. In his presentation at the Library’s Drwm auditorium on the 17th of July, Professor Derec Llwyd Morgan explains who persuaded Claredon Press to publish it, what principles the editor adhered to in selecting the poetry, who assisted him, and what response the volume generated. We gain fresh insight into Thomas Parry’s relationships with the prominent Welsh people of the time, among them T.Ifor Rees, Saunders Lewis and Gwenallt.
Following his presentation, Professor Morgan will be launching his latest book entitled Brenhinbren by Gomer Press. The book discusses the life and work of Thomas Parry.

The Royal Welsh Show  is the biggest agricultural show in Europe. It is organised by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, which was formed in 1904, and takes place in July of each year, at Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells, in Powys, Mid Wales.
The first show was held in Aberystwyth in 1904, and its success led to the development of the permanent showground at Llanelwedd, first used in 1963.
The show lasts for four days and attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually, making it a major boon for tourism in Wales.
Events include:

• Judging of cattle, sheep, horses, goats, pigs and various other domestic animals
• Sheepdog trial
• Sheep shearing competitions
• Horse riding competition
• Four-in-hand and Carriage Driving display
• Falconry
• Games and sports such as the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery of the Royal Horse Artillery
• Arts and crafts show
• Live music

The Royal Welsh is particularly significant for young people who live in farming communities in Wales. It is regarded as one of the highlights of the year and as an opportunity to socialise with old friends and make new acquaintances, particularly.
The Wales Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs runs a series of competitions throughout Wales throughout the year and the finals of the practical competitions usually take place at the Show. Amongst these events are stock judging, tug of war competitions, cookery classes, flower arranging, craft activities and also disco dancing.
Arguably the biggest event at the show is the Welsh Cob Senior Stallion class, traditionally held on the Wednesday afternoon of the show (“Welsh Cob Wednesday”). The class is held using the entire main arena, and the grandstand, opposite hill and surrounds are typically packed, with seating becoming hard to come by from about 10:30 onwards. The 50+ stallions are paraded at a trot in front of the grandstand raising often thunderous roars from the crowd before they settle down for the judging of the class.
This event on its own brings spectators from all around the world.
As usual The National Library of Wales will have a presence throughout the four days and this year will be concentrating on Welsh newspapers on line.
There will also be a an exhibition highlighting the ancestry of the shows current president Mr Wyn T. Jones FRAgS of Anglesey and also activities for the younger visitors including creating a family tree and also drawing a picture of their family.
Please visit us directly behind the main grandstandstand where you will be assured of a warm welcome.

The Boston Manuscript

Saturday 13 July at 1.00 p.m. is certainly one of this year’s highlights for the Friends of The National Library.

Dr Maredudd ap Huw discusses the Boston Manuscript and its signifigance.

The manuscript was bought by the National Library for £541,250 at auction in Sotheby’s in London on Tuesday 10 July 2012.

The Heritage Lottery Fund supported the bid with a grant £467,000 with the remainder of the money from the Library’s own funds and a grant from the Welsh Government.

The pocket-sized book, written in medieval Welsh and featuring coloured decoration, is one of the earliest manuscript of its kind ever offered in a public sale and was auctioned by the Massachusetts Historical Society who were likely to have been given the manuscript as a gift from Welsh emigrants in the early 19th century.

This small parchment volume is a very early example of a key text in the history of Welsh law and would have been used by an itinerant judge in South Wales in the 14th century. It offers a new window into the development of Welsh identity and cultural life.

Gwyneth Davies describes volunteering oppurtunities for members of the public to play their part in helping  the Library achieve its objectives. This enables them to work on a variety of interesting projects and tasks that the Library staff would never have the time to complete.

Finally John Dilwyn Williams, Chair of the Association relates to the history of the

Madryn Estate on the southern coast of the Llŷn Peninsula.

The Grade 2 listed building houses a magnificent Jacobean staircase, stained glass windows, hammer beam roof and 10 airy gallery spaces.

Admission by ticket – £3.50

(01970) 632 548

www.llgc.org.uk/drwm

Why not join us for a Comedy Night on Friday 5 July at 8.00pm to see some of Wales’s best stand-up comedians:

Gary Slaymaker, Phil Evans a Daniel Glyn.

Tickets £8.00 – bar available. Event will be held in Welsh.