In April 2022, Urdd Gobaith Cymru was allocated £15,380.00 for their project Clocaenog Gardens – ‘Yr Arddorfa’ during the Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbighshire 2022.

The intention of the project was to develop a new and exciting area by giving opportunities to young people and working together with partners in the Clocaenog area and on the Urdd Eisteddfod field. With money from the Clocaenog fund they managed to hold gardening workshops on the Eisteddfod grounds, and in the community with experienced artists leading. All the work was woven together in order to stage a unique high quality area on the grounds of the Urdd Eisteddfod 2022.

The schools that worked on this project with the Urdd are Brynhyfryd, Carreg Emlyn, Bro Cinmeirch, Plas Brondyffryn and Adran Caenog

Around 280 children from the area had the opportunity to take part in workshops in the community to learn about gardening and their local ecology through the arts. In addition, there was a music composition workshop with 10 children from Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn.

Volunteers from the local gardening association, Denbigh yn Blodeuo, were also part of the project. They were instrumental as part of the constructive workshops of creating the garden with Sioned Edwards, and then keeping the garden in order, watering and tidying up during the week of the Eisteddfod, and replanting the gardens in the community following the week of the Eisteddfod. festival.

The Eisteddfod succeeded in attracting 118,000 visitors to the field, and they estimate that a very high percentage of the visitors visited and had an interactive experience of the gardens.

The inclusion of the natural and organic element here on the Eisteddfod field in 2022, for the first time, was part of the developments to create the sense of an eco-friendly festival on the field. The young people of the area were a core part of these important ideas and development. The Clocaenog money has ensured that they have had the experience of creating a living, new, innovative area in their local area.

During the week of the Eisteddfod there were workshops to learn about the gardens, artistic workshops relating to the musical element of the Orchestra, and workshops to create a Hedgehog Hotel. They estimate that over 900 children had an interactive opportunity to learn about ecology and natural life on the Urdd Eisteddfod Field.

After the Eisteddfod, every single branch in the catchment area has received pieces of the garden to be replanted in the community, and within their schools.

An Urdd Gobaith Cymru representative, said:

“The impact and existence of this project will be remembered and treasured by those who took part, and because of its success, the hope is to offer the same type of experience on the field in future Eisteddfod.”

Following the resounding success of the project at the Eisteddfod in 2022, they have been shortlisted for the 'Art & Business' Cymru 2023 awards in the 'Arts, Business and Environment' category. We wish them the best of luck.

To read more about the project:

https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/20178075.denbigh-eisteddfod-offers-something-gardening-fans/