Anglesey's beaches and rivers provide the inspiration for the Chair and the Crown at this year's Urdd National Eisteddfod
The two main prizes at this year's festival, being held at the Mona showground, were officially unveiled at a special event in Oriel Môn on Tuesday night.
This year's chair, sponsored by the Anglesey Agricultural Society, was designed by Gaerwen architect Rhiannon Williams and built by Llanfaelog carpenter Sion Edwards.
Rhiannon's initial design drew inspiration from the theme of 'from the rivers to the sea' and also featured the island's windmills, such as Melin y Bont at Ty Croes.
Sion, a former design and technology teacher who now runs his own business, said: "When I heard what Rhiannon's theme was for the Chair, I was excited."
"Fishing is one of my main hobbies, and I also set up the Cefni Conservation Group a few years ago to improve the condition of our island's rivers, so I was very enthusiastic when I heard 'from the rivers to the sea'."
As well as angling, Siôn is passionate about creating sustainable designs that are built to last.
"I was determined to find good-quality, sustainable wood locally, and after a lot of searching I found an ash tree milled in Cwm Cynfal near Blaenau Ffestiniog and I knew it would be perfect for the chair."
As a stylistic feature, the chair's joints are exposed in a way that ensures it can be repaired in the future if needed - but the design also includes a piece of local history.
Sion explained: "A group of local volunteers from Rhosneigr recently carried an old RNLI lifeboat back to the village to save it from being burned, a boat called Thomas Lingham the 4th."
"It left the village in 1924, and they say it could have been in action during the D-Day landings on the Normandy beaches."
"One of the crew brought me a piece of the boat's wood to see if I would be interested in renovating it, and this is the wood that I've used to create the chair's wedges. So, a small part of the amazing story of Rhosneigr's lifeboat now lives on in the chair too."
The Crown, sponsored by local estate agents Eiddo Cyf, is the work of Llanfairpwll jeweller Myfanwy Jones, who returned to Anglesey in 2022, after fifteen years working in London, where she completed a degree in jewellery design at the world-renowned Central Saint Martins College.
"It's lovely being back home, and what an amazing opportunity to create the crown for the Eisteddfod this year – I've never designed a crown before!" says Myfanwy.
Her finished work is made of brass and includes two opal stones, as well as small jade stones, with soft green velvet on the inside, all echoing the colours of Anglesey's beaches.
"Before I started designing the crown I put a poll up on Instagram to ask people what came to their minds when they thought about Ynys Môn, and the most popular answer by far was beaches."
"Then I went off to research the island's beaches, as well as the Celtic symbols used across the island, and the final crown embodies both themes."
Myfanwy creates her jewellery using a specialist wax carving technique and has created pieces for film and TV, as well as working on fine jewellery commission over the last few years.
"I'm excited to see what people think of the crown, and to attend the Eisteddfod too," says Myfanwy. "I recently came across medals I won at the Urdd singing with the choir when I was at school! It will be great to go to the Maes in my local area, and to see who takes home the crown."
The crowning ceremony will be held on the final day of the Eisteddfod - Friday 29th May - which is being held for a full week for the first time in its history.
The chairing will take place the day before - on Thursday 28th May.
Llio Maddocks, arts director for Urdd Gobaith Cymru. added: "Ynys Môn is ingrained into the Chair and the Crown of the Urdd this year; their connection to the island can be seen and felt in every little detail, from the designs and materials to the stories and history that live within these beautiful objects."
"We can't wait for the Eisteddfod in the hope that we will see two winners take home this year's Chair and Crown. We would like to thank the talented artists, committees and sponsors for their tireless work and generous support."
The Urdd National Eisteddfod takes place from Saturday 23rd to Friday 29th May.
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