Three Generations of One Family Have Welcomed the Urdd to Anglesey
Cathrin (right) and her sister back in 1974
Residents of Anglesey are once again ready to welcome the Urdd National Eisteddfod to the island this year.
However, one family has played an integral role in the welcome for over 50 years.
Three generations of Cathrin Gruffydd Jones's family have participated in the Eisteddfod's welcome concerts whenever it has visited Anglesey.
Cathrin was the first in the family, along with her sister Sioned, performing in Menai Bridge in 1976. Later, Cathrin's children Lowri, Lois, and Angharad sang in 2004, and this year Angharad's children and Cathrin's granddaughters, Elsa and Aria, are preparing to perform on stage in Mona.
'Appreciating the Words'
Reflecting on memories, Cathrin, originally from Langristiolus but now living in Rhostrehwfa, recalls recording the single when she was just 17 years old.
The Urdd Eisteddfod was held in Menai Bridge that year, and Cathrin remembers the excitement of going to Sain studio to record the song.
"Recording with my sister, Sioned, I did. My father, Tecwyn Gruffydd, wrote the lyrics for the Eisteddfod Song.
"I remember being quite starstruck at the time in Sain studio because Hefin Elis from the band Edward H was recording with us and playing guitar.
"At the time I loved going to Welsh discos, and I was also travelling around Anglesey singing duets with my sister, so it was lovely to hear the song released as a welcome to the Eisteddfod," she said.
Cathrin is very proud of the single and appreciates the lyrics, with one line standing out more than the rest.
"When I was younger, I don't think I appreciated the words as much as I do now.
"There is a verse in the song that goes, 'Under your wing comes youth, with their fun, their literature, and their song...'
"And that is so true of what the Urdd offers, like a careful wing around the youth of Wales," she said.
Nearly 30 years later, Cathrin's children had the opportunity to follow in their mother's footsteps and take part in the welcome song when the Urdd Eisteddfod returned to Anglesey.
In 2004, with Angharad just turned 14, there was great excitement among the island's youth. The Anglesey Aelwyd had been established, the Anglesey Youth Theatre was thriving, and the Anglesey Youth Choir was in its early days. Amidst all this, there were several performances to be done during the festival week.
That year, the welcome song was composed by Gareth Glyn with lyrics by Mei Mac and Anglesey schoolchildren – "I Sir Fôn."
"Two arms over the waves of the Menai stretch their welcome The Island of Skill calls you all across Wales Mother calls again, calling and encouraging her children To come in their youth to show their talents to the world. Come all of every age to Anglesey."
Recalling the period, Angharad said,
"I remember being excited to compete and perform in so many different things.
"There wasn't much competitive eisteddfod culture in our school, but everyone made an effort to welcome the Urdd Eisteddfod to Anglesey."
"The welcome song was a favourite; it took you everywhere musically, from folk to jazz to a bit of rap even, and lasted almost ten minutes! There was a youthful spirit to the entire performance."
Angharad also took part in the senior show, which took her to a completely different level compared to the enthusiasm for "I Sir Fôn."
"Dust in Our Eyes" was the name of the show, telling the story of the Methodist Revival at the turn of the eighteenth century through the eyes of residents of Amlwch town and workers of Parys Mountain.
"That was the first time I did a show like that, and although the rehearsals were long and required great commitment – a commitment I still see from Anglesey schoolchildren this year – it was an invaluable experience, and I still remember the songs today!"
Now in 2026, with the Eisteddfod once again returning to the Anglesey Showgrounds in Mona, it is an opportunity for Angharad's children and Cathrin's granddaughters to take part in the primary school show in the Pavilion this year.
In addition to appearing in the official welcome song performed by Fleur de Lys, the girls are involved in the primary show.
Elsa and Aria are pupils at Llannerchymedd School and, like hundreds of other children in the county, have been learning and rehearsing songs for months.
The primary show this year is called "Sgwarnog" and follows the story of a girl named Gwen who goes missing.
Aria, nine years old and performing the role of a fair resident, said she "enjoys singing and dancing even though I am tired at the end of rehearsals."
"I look forward to performing the show and competing with the duet party and the cerdd dant party at the end of the week," she said.
All the excitement of the Urdd Eisteddfod will be available to follow on the Cymru Fyw website and on BBC Radio Cymru.
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