2008 Cardiff and District National Eisteddfod

2008 eisteddfod in Cardiff, Wales August 2025 Eisteddfod 2008 - geograph.org.uk - 914977 (cropped).jpg 2008 Eisteddfod in Pontcanna Fields 250 2008 Eisteddfod in Pontcanna Fields Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru Caerdydd a'r Cylch 2008 Welsh 8 days 2008 08 02 2008 08 09 y Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff, WalesEisteddfod Maes site, Pontcanna, Cardiff, 2008 https://www.casgliadywerin.cymru/items/25885#?xywh=112%2C74%2C4622%2C3498 People's Collection Wales 19 October 2025 51.492 -3.198 region:GB_type:event inline,title Welsh language and culture The 2008 Cardiff and District National Eisteddfod (cy Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru Caerdydd a'r Cylch 2008) was held in Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff, Wales, from 2 to 9 August 2008.David James https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/390k-cost-eisteddfod-clean-up-2165568 £390k cost of the Eisteddfod clean-up Wales Online 22 July 2008 19 October 2025 This was the first time the National Eisteddfod of Wales had been held in Cardiff for 30 years. Background The National Eisteddfod of Wales had been held every year since 1861, with the exception of 1914 because of World War I.http://www.eisteddfod.org.uk/english/about-us/our-history/past-locations/ Past locations National Eisteddfod of Wales 19 October 2025 unfit https://web.archive.org/web/20140729214952/http://www.eisteddfod.org.uk/english/about-us/our-history/past-locations/ July 29, 2014 It is hosted by a different region of Wales each year, alternating between north and south Wales.Jo Manning Having a maes time at Welsh fest http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7544896.stm BBC News 6 August 2008 9 October 2025 The main competition events are the Crowning of the Bard and the Chairing of the Bard. The National Eisteddfod had first been held in Cardiff in 1883, but most recently had been held in the city in 1978. Proclamation The proclamation of the Cardiff Eisteddfod took place in the city on 16 June 2007. A procession led by the Gorsedd of Bards had been due to take place along St Mary Street, culminating at Coopers Field. However, because of bad weather the proclamation event was relocated to the campus of the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, in Cyncoed. Former international rugby player Robin McBryde carried the Gorsedd sword for the first time, taking over from fellow rugby player, Ray Gravell. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/6760151.stm Rain diverts eisteddfod ceremony BBC News 16 June 2007 19 October 2025 Preparations A working committee, involving the emergency services and other key organisations, was set up in 2003 to make plans for the Eisteddfod, in advance of Cardiff being formally confirmed as the 2008 venue.https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cardiff-shell-out-xa3450000-2008-2489988 Cardiff to shell out £450,000 for 2008 Eisteddfod Wales Online 24 March 2003 19 October 2025 The sports pitches of Pontcanna Fields were covered with gravel in preparation for the Eisteddfod event, with Cardiff Council budgetting £390,000 to clean up and restore the field afterwards. The local authority said they would use the arrival of the Eisteddfod as a reason to improve the parkland, though local sports clubs accused the council of "putting the Eisteddfod first". 2008 location and facilities The Eisteddfod Maes was located on Pontcanna Fields, approximately 20 minutes walk from Cardiff's main railway stations. There were park and ride facilities located in the Cardiff Bay area for people arriving by car.https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/eisteddfod2008/sites/guide/information/pages/travel.shtml National Eisteddfod 2008 - How to get there BBC Wales 19 October 2025 The focus of the Maes was the main (pink) pavilion. An adult day ticket to the Maes cost £12. Notable awards and events Crowning of the Bard 25-year-old Aberystwyth student, Hywel Griffiths, won the 2008 crown for his collection of free-verse poetry about his experiences of the city of Cardiff. He was the youngest winner since 1978. He won the crown, made by Anglesey's Karen Williams, and £750.Eryl Crump https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/aberystwyth-student-wins-national-eisteddfod-2815961 Aberystwyth student wins National Eisteddfod crown Daily Post North Wales 5 August 2008 20 October 2025 Griffiths had been inducted into the Gorsedd of Bards on Sunday, the day before winning the crown, because he had won the Urdd Eisteddfod chair in 2004 and 2007. Chairing of the Bard In 2008 this was a particularly keenly anticipated event because the chair had not been awarded in Cardiff since 1938. At the National Eisteddfods in Cardiff in 1978 and 1960 there was no-one deemed worthy of winning it.Steffan Rhys https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/eisteddfod-chair-jinx-could-broken-2157140 Eisteddfod Chair jinx could be broken today Wales Online 8 August 2008 19 October 2025 The 2008 chair was designed by a designer from Cardiff, Bethan Gray, and made by Alex McDonald from Pembrokeshire. Hilma Lloyd Edwards, of Bontnewydd, near Caernarfon, won the prize of the chair and £750. Her cynghanedd poem was on the theme of Tir Newydd (New Land).https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/best-seat-house-hilma-2816691 Best seat in house for Hilma Daily Post North Wales 9 August 2008 19 October 2025 Aftermath The Cardiff Eisteddfod made an overall surplus of £38,000. Eisteddfod needs more cash ahead of Bala event https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/eisteddfod-needs-more-cash-ahead-2791717 Daily Post North Wales 20 April 2009 19 October 2025 The bad waterlogging and damage of Pontcanna Fields, as a result of the Cardiff Eisteddfod, led to Cardiff Council spending £400,000 on under-soil drains to the football pitches.Simon Gaskell No, it’s not a lake, it’s Llandaff Fields! https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/no-its-not-lake-its-1921550 Wales Online 22 March 2013 19 October 2025 Refurbishment was still underway two years later.Clare Hutchinson Council says no to hosting Eisteddfod in Pontcanna Fields https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/council-says-no-hosting-eisteddfod-1917112 Wales Online July 2010 22 October 2025 Following the 2008 event, the Eisteddfod organisers asked Cardiff Council if they could use Pontcanna Fields on a regular basis. The request was turned down by the then Liberal Democrat council leader, Rodney Berman, because of the damage caused in 2008. The next visit of the National Eisteddfod to Cardiff in 2018 saw the event held, without a fence, in Cardiff Bay. References National Eisteddfod Cardiff and District National Eisteddfod Category:August 2008 in the United Kingdom Category:Festivals in Cardiff 2008