"Pafiliwn Bont in Pontrhydfendigaid was originally built by a rich local man called Sir David James. Sir David James was a prominent London businessman who at this time owned a cinema chain which included major cinemas in the West End and across the UK. He was born and brought up on Pantyfedwen Farm in the village of Pontrhydfendigaid near Aberystwyth and was committed to improving the social and cultural opportunities in the village. He invested major sums in the provision of a cricket pitch, snooker hall, library and in various activities in the community. He was also keen to promote the Welsh Eisteddfod tradition and encouraged the Pontrhydfendigaid villagers to establish their own Eisteddfod on a scale unheard of with prizes which extended to hundreds of pounds. After a few years he funded in full the construction of a massive Concert Hall to hold the Eisteddfod and other events - his dream was to put "Bont", as the village is known locally, on the map and create such a major Eisteddfod that it would attract competitors from far afield with world class judges, an Eisteddfod staged in a professional Concert Hall rather than a tent or village hall. Regrettably Sir David James died before the new "Pavilion" was opened for its first Eisteddfod in 1967.

It was always intended that the "Pavilion" would stage (as well as the annual Eisteddfod event over 3 days of the May bank holiday weekend) a myriad of other artistic and cultural events, and within a few years the Pavilion in "Bont" was attracting thousands of attendees from across Wales for festivals, concerts and shows. The 1960s and 1970s was a time of great excitement for the new Welsh "Pop" bands and up to 4000 and more young people would descend on the village for some events, many of whom failed to get in to the Hall but listened outside. Concerts with world-class performers in all fields were regular events as well as a multitude of diverse events - wrestling, television shows, drama, dance and rock and folk bands.

"Bont" became a centre for many national events associated with the re-birth of interest in the use by young people of their "welsh" and its location in the heartland of welsh speaking Ceredigion within two hours of every part of Wales was a focus for the promotion of Welsh language events and performances from the Eisteddfodau for a number of local and national organisations and festivals like the Gwyl Cerdd Dant to concerts for all age groups.

The Eisteddfod attracted thousands of competitors, normally at least 40 choirs for the prestigious competition for choirs with over 60 voices. Preliminary rounds were held in the chapels and other halls in the village and the range of literary, and performing competitions continue to this day. The Eisteddfod succeeded in putting "Bont" on the map and fulfilled the original aim to provide a cultural and social programme " as good as anywhere" in this small upland village.

It has succeeded also in the aim of nurturing Welsh talent and providing an opportunity for young people to compete, it provided high quality performance experiences and adjudications and a stepping stone to professional careers: from Bryn Terfel and Gwyn Hughes Jones in Opera to Sian Cothi and Aled Jones in West End musicals. Actors, presenters and singers have all benefited from the opportunity to perform at "Bont".

However, over the years there were no funds for major maintenance or improvements and the public perception of the facilities in the Pavilion deteriorated as did the Pavilion itself. It needed further investment to keep up with other venues and eventually was closed in 2000 due to a failure to obtain a licence for performances because of deficiencies in the electrical wiring and shortly afterwards was damaged by a fire.

Attempts have been made over some years by an enthusiastic band of local volunteers to attract funding to redevelop the Pavilion following its closure. Finally they were successful through the formation of Pafiliwn Cyf ,a company limited by guarantee, and raised almost £1.7m to partly demolish and rebuild a new Pavilion. Work on the rebuild began in early 2005 and the Pavilion was ready to be used in time for the Pantyfedwen Eisteddfod in May 2006.

Since opening the Pavilion, two members of staff have been appointed, me as full-time manager, and part-time caretaker, Ian Huws. The first few months have been busy, with a wide range of events being held already. Work promoting the fantastic new multi-purpose venue is on-going and the aim is to establish Bont Pavilion as a place of national significance once more.

Article written by Owain Schiavone