Around 400 Neath Port Talbot young people to compete at the National Urdd Eisteddfod 2024

After winning their way through regional competitions, around 400 school pupils from Neath Port Talbot are preparing to take part in the National Urdd Eisteddfod – Maldwyn 2024.

One of Europe’s largest annual youth festivals, this year’s Urdd will be held between May 27th and June 1st on land near Welshpool.

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, Cllr Nia Jenkins, said: “I’d like to wish all of our representatives well as they compete on a national level in this iconic festival of literature, music and performing arts’.

“I also congratulate them on winning their way to the Maldwyn Urdd Eisteddfod in regional eisteddfod qualifying rounds in such big numbers.’

“I am also pleased to see a large number of qualifiers for the Urdd Eisteddfod from Neath Port Talbot in Welsh Learner categories.”

At this year’s Urdd, expected to receive around 90,000 visitors boosting the local Mid Wales economy by around £6m, Neath Port Talbot Council representatives will be at a tent promoting next year’s National Urdd Eisteddfod – Eisteddfod Dur a Môr, Margam a’r Fro, which is being held in Margam Country Park.

In the Secondary School sector, pupils from Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur have performed particularly well, having multiple entries in a variety of categories.

A brass band from YGG Gwaun Cae Gurwen has also won its way to the Urdd Eisteddfod Maldwyn 2024.

Other Welsh medium primary schools from Neath Port Talbot competing at the National Urdd Eisteddfod 2024 in Maldwyn include YGG Pontardawe, YGG Tyle’r Ynn, YGG Cwmllynfell and YGG Castell-nedd.

Pupils from Ysgol Cwm Brombil will also be competing in the Welsh Learners secondary section in Theatrical Performance and the individual recitation competition while Ysgol Gynradd Cwmafan pupils will also compete at Welsh Learner level in a number of primary categories which include the choir and the action song.

Cllr Jenkins added: “In Neath Port Talbot we are not only looking forward to our pupils competing at the Urdd Eisteddfod Maldwyn 2024 we are looking ahead to the Urdd Eisteddfod Margam 2025 which will be held between May 26th and May 31st, 2025.”