Journey begins for bardic chair

Fri, 06 Mar 09 16:54:00

 

The National Library of Wales is to donate the bardic chair to the National Urdd Eisteddfod, held this year in Cardiff Bay. The chair will be awarded to the winning young poet who will be honoured in a special ceremony at the Wales Millennium Centre in May.

 

Retired Craft, Design and Technology teacher, Arnold James from Llanelli will design and build the chair – the fourth Eisteddfod chair he’s created – and the challenge has already begun.

 

“I’m very proud that Urdd Gobaith Cymru approached me with a view to making this year’s chair,” said Arnold James, who works from the garage of his Llanelli home. “I first created a chair in the eighties for the Powys Eisteddfod before designing and creating the chair for the Urdd Eisteddfod in Wrexham in 1997 and the National Eisteddfod in Llanelli in 2000.

 

“I always create a model of the chair in the first instance,” said Arnold James. “As soon as the National Library has seen the design and we’ve discussed it, I’ll start sourcing the wood and then begin working on the winning chair.”

 

This unique chair will be presented to the winning poet for a poem without being over 100 lines on the subject, ‘Ymlaen’ (Forward). The closing date was 1 March and Hywel Griffiths and Karen Owen have been given the difficult task of judging the entries.

 

R Arwel Jones, Director of Public Services for The National Library of Wales said, “The National Library has a wide range of services for the children and young people of Wales through its Education Service and the treasures which can be accessed on line.

 

“We’re delighted to be awarding the chair to this year’s winning poet and for the opportunity of working with Arnold James throughout this process.”

 

Aled Siôn, the National Urdd Eisteddfod’s Director said, “We are very grateful to the National Library for this generous donation to the Urdd Eisteddfod in Cardiff Bay. The ceremonies are spectacular events and we look forward to seeing the chair being presented to the winning poet on the world-renowned stage of the Donald Gordon Theatre in May.”

 

Press Office

Medi Jones-Jackson

medi.jones-jackson@llgc.org.uk

01970 632 534