Monday - Cefin Burgess
Cefin received his education at Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen, before continuing his studies at Birmingham Polytechnic College and Manchester Polytechnic College. He then completed a master’s degree at London’s Royal Art College.
Cefin developed his weaving skills during a long term sojourn at Macclesfield Paradise Mill Silk Museum. Whilst there, he had an excellent chance to perfect his Jacquard weaving skills. His designs were reproduced for merchandise by a number of international clients, including Urdd y Dylunwyr, Medici Community, International Linen Promotion as well as the British Museum.
His work has appeared in exhibitions throughout Wales including Bangor Gallery, Pendeitsh Gallery at Caernarfon, Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno and in the Tabernacl in Machynlleth. In addition, Cefin has commisioned work at Plas Newydd, Glynllifon, Royal Celtic Hotel, Caernarfon, Wales’ Museum and Plas Penglais at Aberystwyth.
Cefin’s work can also be seen in the Bluecoat Chambers in Liverpool, Royal Exchange in Manchester, Chelsea Craft Fair in London to name a few. His work has also appeared in several places around the world, including France and the United States of America.
Cefin by now works closer to home. He is currently working on many projects but his main focus right now is an Art Exhibition which will be seen at the new Centre in Ruthin from October onwards.
The Urdd is far from being a strange territory for Cefin. He was very conscious of the Urdd’s work throughout his school years as he regulary participated in the annual Art Design and Technology competitions. He was awarded the first prize in the Art’s Medal Competition in the 1992 Urdd National Eisteddfod at Aberystwyth.
Cefin has judged the Art Design and Technology competitions for many years. He says that judging the competition and being able to witness the true talent of Wales’ creative children gives him great pleasure. Cefin says: ‘’I believe that the work the Urdd does to promote art work within schools is wonderful. The Urdd has been successful in changing the general outlook of art within the educational system as well. It is, without a doubt, extremely important to give children who have a great love for art, the same opportunities as those who excel at stage performances.’’
Cefin is very glad to see the Eisteddfod returning to Conwy, especially as he now lives a stone throw away from the Maes in Deganwy. He believes that it will be of great benefit to the area. He sincerely hopes that the Conwy County Eisteddfod will give parents who are sending their children to Welsh medium schools a great boost.
Cefin explains: ‘’I consider it a great privilege that the Urdd has given someone from the arts a chance to be President of the day. I have worked closely with the Urdd Arts Department over the years, and it will be great to represent my vocation on homeground this year.’’
Tuesday - Toni Schiavone
Toni Schiavone was born in Adpar, near New Castle Emlyn but now lives in Pandy Tudur, near Llanrwst with his wife, Dawn and four children.
After attending Llandysul Grammar School, Toni graduated in Geography from Southampton University. After spending a few years teaching at Rhyl High School, he was appointed Head of Geography Department at Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy.
Toni spent most of the 1990s as Humanities Consultant with Cynnal in Gwynedd, Anglesey and Conwy. From 2001 onwards, he worked as Assistant Director with Wales’ Basic Skills Agency, before being appointed Head of Wales’ Basic Skills Agency last year.
Toni spends a lot of his time writing educational material. He was responsible for writing and editing the ‘New Wales’ Geography book, for primary and secondary schools. Tony also co-edited Oxford Press’ Wales Atlases.
Toni has been very active with the Urdd over the years, particular with sporting activities. He assisted with the Urdd club during his time in Rhyl High School and Dyffryn Conwy. He was responsible for the Urdd football club in Conwy each Saturday for fifteen years. His team became winners of the Urdd National Competition twice during his leadership.
Toni said that he’s glad to be representing teachers and the education world in the Eisteddfod this year. Toni says: ‘’I believe that school teachers are the back bone of the organisation with thousands of them all over Wales contributing to secure success from one year to the next.’’
Toni is looking forward to welcoming the Eisteddfod to Conwy. His hope is that people will come to realise the amount that volunteers on the periphery contribute to the Eisteddfod each year, either through fundraising, organising weekly clubs and helping local schools.
Wednesday - Meinir Lynch
Meinir Lynch is used to competing with the Urdd. Since her school days at Ysgol Llangwm and Ysgol y Berwyn, Meinir was a member of the Urdd and regularly took part in the organisation’s Eisteddfod from year to year. Meinir found great pleasure in travelling from one Eisteddfod to the next, visiting new areas of Wales.
Today, Meinir still plays an active part with the Urdd. By now, she receives great satisfaction in training the youngsters of Aelwyd Llangwm. She has been working with them toward the Eisteddfod in Conwy for some time, and she thoroughly enjoys their company and greatly admires their devotion and perseverance to secure great success for the Aelwyd.
After graduating from Bangor University, Meinir was appointed head of Drama in Ysgol y Creuddyn. The location of the Eisteddfod this year therefore brings Meinir many fond memories reminiscing the great time she spent teaching in Penrhyn Bay.
Meinir’s period at Ysgol y Creuddyn came to an end when raising her children became her full time occupation. From the end of the1980s, Meinir has been scriptwriting television programmes. She started out working on children’s programmes, but since then she has become a member of Pobol y Cwm’s script writing team.
Meinir considers it a great honour to be President of the Day in the Eisteddfod this year. She sincerely hopes that success will come to the path of Aelwyd Llangwm in Conwy, and she’s also looking forward to seeing the youth show ‘Hedfan’ in the pavilion.
Meinir says: ‘’It will be a great experience for each and every child that will be competing this year, and I do hope that as many people as possible will visit Conwy to experience for themselves what the Eisteddfod has to offer. I’m very glad that the Eisteddfod is returning to the area and I’m certain that it will leave a positive impact on Conwy and the surrounding area.’’
Thursday - Iolo ap Dafydd
Iolo ap Dafydd is a familiar face as one of BBC Wales’ journalists. He has been working with the BBC since 1993 and he is now an Environment Correspondent for BBC Wales. He can also be seen presenting the Welsh Newyddion (News) programme from time to time, as well as corresponding from abroad when needed.
Iolo is originally from Llanrwst and a past pupil of Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy. After graduating with a Welsh and History degree from the University of Wales Bangor, Iolo spent some time working in Bangor before moving to Cardiff. He has now been living in Cardiff for the past fifteen years with his wife, Siân and their two daughters.
But before settling in the capital, Iolo spent many years living abroad. He has lived in the Netherlands, Israel, New Zealand and Belgium. The whole family spent a period living in Brussels whilst he worked as an Europe Correspondent for BBC Wales.
During his career, Iolo has reported from several different locations covering high profile stories. Some of which include, New York during the attacks on 11 September, the war in Afghanistan, Jordan, the war in Iraq and many other foreign locations. More recently, he has presented programmes such as Week in Week Out, Sunday Edition, Manylu, Taro 9, Ewropa and O Flaen dy Lygaid.
Outside work, Iolo enjoys spending time with his family. He also enjoys travelling and takes advantage of every possible opportunity to familiarise himself with new parts of the world. Iolo has a great interest in sports of every kind and is a keen rugby fan. He writes a weekly rugby column in Golwg. Amongst his other interests are climbing, walking and photography.
Iolo was an Urdd member throughout his school days. He thoroughly enjoyed his weekly visits to the Aelwyd in the community centre at Llanrwst. Iolo says: ‘‘That is one of the main elements of the Urdd to me personally. It opens doors to a natural Welsh community, and allows Welsh youngsters of every county to meet each another and socialise.’’
Iolo is eagerly awaiting the Eisteddfod this year and is looking forward to welcome everyone once again to Conwy County. He sincerely hopes that thousands of people will come and listen to other competitors, and take the chance to socialise with old friends.’’
Iolo concludes: ‘’I consider it a privilege, certainly in Conwy, to be invited to be President of the Day. It is without a doubt a credit to the Urdd and the hard work of the local volunteers, to prepare Wales’ youth festival, and to bringing her once again back to an area where the minority speak Welsh. I am looking forward to visiting the Maes, to show my support, and to also remind the Welsh people that it is our responsibility and privilege to secure that there will be continuity and prosperity.’’
Friday - Lowri Hughes
Lowri Hughes was born and bred in Abergele. She received her education at Ysgol Glan y Morfa and Ysgol y Creuddyn before spending three years studying at the Theatre Department of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
After graduating, in 2000 Lowri settled in Bangor where she started working as a Drama tutor at Ysgol Glanaethwy. Before the end of the year, Lowri joined Rownd a Rownd as a scriptwriter, where she continues to work.
The Urdd has played a central part in Lowri’s life ever since her school days. She spent years as a keen member of the Aelwyd in Abergele, where she thoroughly enjoyed socialising as well as participating in several theatre productions. During her period studying at Aberystwyth, Lowri returned home from time to time to hold drama workshops on behalf of the Urdd in Conwy and Denbighshire.
Lowri is extremely grateful to the Urdd for all the opportunities she received as a member. Lowri explains: ‘’The Urdd is an unique organisation in the way it offers such a wide range of opportunities for children and young people. As one who enjoyed competing on stage, sports activities as well as creative writing, the Urdd offered many activities which played an integral part of my childhood until the sad day when I was too old to compete further!’’
Lowri has contributed creatively to the Urdd on a number of occasions during the years. She won the Drama Medal in the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Cardiff back in 2002. The Urdd Eisteddfod in Conwy is likely to be a very busy time for Lowri. She will have the task of judging the Drama Medal this year. Lowri is also directing the Youth Show ‘Feather Boy.’
Lowri hopes that thousands of people will come to Gloddaeth Isaf Farm to have a taste of the exuberance and excitement of the surrounding area. Lowri is looking forward to being a part of the whole event this year, and being able to witness Wales’ talent at its very best.
Lowri concludes: ‘’As one who likes to watch the competitions, I am often amazed at the talent and standard of the young people of Wales and I can’t wait to see who will be the stars of the Eisteddfod in Conwy this year.’’