Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbighshire postponed until 2021 due to COVID-19 fears
Written by admin on March 16, 2020
Due to the current situation in Wales regarding the Coronavirus, Urdd Gobaith Cymru has made the following decisions for the health and wellbeing of its members, staff and volunteers.
The Urdd will:
– Close all three of its Residential Centres (Llangrannog, Cardiff and Glan-llyn) to all residential activities from Friday 20 March 2020 until further notice
– Cancel all local & regional Eisteddfodau
– Postpone the National Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbighshire until 2021
– Cancel all national sports competitions
– Cancel all community activities until further notice
The National Urdd Eisteddfod will now be held in Denbighshire in May 2021 and the Urdd is in continuous discussion with its broadcasting partners, S4C and BBC Radio Cymru, regarding the options around celebrating our members’ talents on a different platform in 2020.
Cancelling major events and closing its residential centres clearly present significant financial challenges to the Urdd and initial estimates suggest a financial hit of nearly £4 million from the measures announced today.
The Urdd is in discussion with all its partners including the Welsh Government regarding the huge impact the current situation will have on the Urdd, its workforce of 320 and the young people and children of Wales.
Urdd Chief Executive Siân Lewis said: “It’s hugely disappointing for all involved to have to close our centres and cancel our events, but the safety and wellbeing of our staff, members and supporters is paramount. Our aim now is to safeguard the organisation through planning a sustainable future and utilising our energy, commitment and values to helping Wales cope with this crisis.
“The movement, formed nearly a century ago with a firm commitment to Wales and wider humanity, will discuss the current situation with Government Ministers and also explore how the Urdd and its staff could best be deployed to meet the mounting challenges facing the elderly and most vulnerable in Wales.”
The Urdd is in direct contact with all its stakeholders regarding the situation and will be updating them on any developments as swiftly and frequently as possible.
