Kathy Gittins is a fleunt Welsh-speaker who was born on a farm at Pontrobert only a few miles from the Eisteddfod site. She has a gallery displaying her work in the village of Meifod where she and her four children live.

"The Eisteddfod is definitely the largest project that Meifod has ever seen and one that is discussed daily by so many people. We are very excited to be launching the 2003 Eisteddfod on our doorstep and feel it is a tremendous honour for our village and locality.

Huw Siop, our local postmaster, brilliantly arranged a 'Friends of the Eisteddfod' committee, collected over a £1,000 donations from generous well wishers in the village and, with tremendous support from the Eisteddfod supporters, we met in my sitting room and arranged for decorations and a warm welcome to be provided! All this will take place over the next few days.

Both Robert (Kathy's partner who owns the King's Head public house in the village) and I feel strongly about providing a very warm Welsh welcome and we have been planning for months.

A marquee has been put up behind the pub, with a week of entertainment organised by Dewi Prysor of Cymuned.

The Maes is looking fantastic! Every few days when I drive past on my way to my Mother's, more tents and pagodas seem to be erected overnight; yellow road signs seem to multiply daily and staff working on the site travel from all over the UK and Europe!

However, the feast of it all has to be the Pavilion. It is quite an incredible experience having the opportunity to view the splendour of the Pavilion and the sheer magnificence of this incredible giant located here, at Mathrafal on the outskirts of our sleepy little village - it really is a privilege.

Interestingly, the media are about in abundance, filming for several TV channels and promotions.

The regulars at the King's Head in Meifod are also looking forward. I was delighted to learn from all the local youths in the bar that they were all looking forward with great excitement. Mostly all the locals are English speaking and have never experienced an Eisteddfod - but that makes no difference to them, they are eagerly looking forward to the event.

One of them told me that he was looking forward to hearing the live gigs - he understood that Catatonia launched themselves from the Eisteddfod and he was hoping he could witness yet another success here in Meifod!

Two other local lads, are taking a week off work to holiday at the Eisteddfod and a third, a local farmer's son - believing the roads to be a disaster - has decided to treat himself to a week off work, and a holiday at the King's Head!"

Written by Meifod resident and artist Kathy Gittins.