Vale Schools Sweeping Success at Urdd National Eisteddfod 2024

A number of Vale schools excelled in a variety of categories at this year’s Welsh Language Festival, Urdd Eisteddfod, held in Meifod, Powys over half-term.

This year the Urdd celebrated a record-breaking 100,454 children and young people registering to compete in more than 400 competitions including more Welsh learners than ever before.

Among the many accomplished singers, dancers and other entrants, pupils from Ysgol Sant Baruc, Ysgol Pen Y Garth, Ysgol Sant Curig, Ysgol Bro Morgannwg and Llantwit Major Secondary School participated in this year’s event and placed Highly in a range of categories.

Primary schools excelled across the following categories:

• Guitar Solo Years 6 and under: Ewan James Baker, Ysgol Sant Curig, 1^st Place
• Band / Individual Artist Years 6 and under: Ysgol Sant Curig, 2^nd Place
• Instrumental Ensemble Years 6 and under: Ysgol Sant Baruc, 2^nd Place
• Creative Dance Years 6 and under: Ysgol Pen Y Garth

Secondry schools also won big across the following:

• Guitar Solo Years 7, 8 and 9 – Eleanor Rose Baker, Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, 1^st Place
• Guitar Solo Years 10 and under 19 years old – Stephanie Angela Maurer, Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, 1^st Place
• Multimedia Dance Year 7 to under 25-years-old – Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, 1^st Place
• Creative Dance Year 7 to under 25-years-old – Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, 2^nd Place
• Choir SATB Years 10 and under 19-years-old – Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, 2^nd Place
• Woodwind Solo Years 10 and under 19-years-old – Daisy Grace Jones, Llantwit Major High School, 1^st Place

Pupils from Ysgol Iolo Morganwg in Cowbridge also performed alongside Ian ‘H’ Watkins. The Steps star who set up Cowbridge Pride three years ago invited Iolo Morganwg pupils to co-write Bydd Yn Ti Dy Hun – which translates to Be Yourself – alongside Welsh Singer Carryl Parry Jones.

Iolo Morganwg pupils performed the song, which focuses on words of Kindness and self-acceptance, with peers from Ysgol Ponardwe in Neath Port Talbot, where next year’s festival will be held.

Da iawn to all our schools and pupils who performed at the Eisteddfod and llongyfarchiadau to all the winners!