Round-up of the WI’s week at the National Eisteddfod

We had a busy and exciting week at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham. Our presence at the Eisteddfod is one of the highlights in the WI’s calendar in Wales. The week-long festival provides an opportunity to celebrate and immerse ourselves in Welsh arts, culture and language.

This year we had a new area to the stand ‘Gofod Genod/Women’s Space’ where we offered wellbeing activities such as craft, colouring and jigsaws. We also held some events during the week in this new area.

Thank you to Clwyd Denbigh Federation for hosting the stand and to the members for their support throughout the week.

Below are the highlights of our week:

Monday

We were delighted to welcome NFWI Chair Jeryl Stone to the Eisteddfod. We were also pleased to have a visit from Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister of Wales.

During the afternoon, we had a reading of the short drama Yn Y Trên by Saunders Lewis followed by a discussion. The reading was delivered by Judith Humphries and Morfudd Hughes and directed by Owen Arwyn. It was followed by discussion with Manon Wyn Williams and Jerry Hunter.

Tuesday

A fascinating discussion took place about the Gorsedd costumes with Rhinedd Williams and Ela Jones, Superintendent of Gorsedd Robes.

Coverage of the WI stand on S4C’s highlights from the Eisteddfod which included an interview with Rhian Connick.

Wednesday

On Wednesday morning we held a discussion on our Thinking Differently campaign. Thank you to the panel of experts - Sioned Thomas, Neurodivergence Wales; Vicky Powner and Non Parry - for their powerful contributions and to Heledd Fychan MS for leading the discussion.

This was followed by an informative presentation in the afternoon by NatWest on Fraud and Scams.

Thursday

We had a discussion on our No More Violence Against Women campaign.  We were joined by Ann Williams, Welsh Women’s Aid; Shannon Morris, survivor; Manon Davies, Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) North Wales; and Detective Inspector Cefin Roberts, North Wales Police.

In the afternoon, we were delighted to welcome Mererid Hopwood, Archdruid of the Gorsedd of the Bards, Beti-Wyn James, the Herald Bard and Christine James, Recorder of the Gorsedd to our stand. They discussed their roles and responsibilities and the importance of inspiring women to take up such roles.