Radio Wales at the National Eisteddfod

August 2008 saw the National Eisteddfod return to Cardiff for the first time in 30 years, for a week of events and competitions celebrating the Welsh language and culture.

Radio Wales was there throughout the week, bringing a flavour of the Maes to many of our shows throughout the day.
Sian Pari Huws was there throughout the week, bringing a flavour of life on the Maes to programmes throughout the day with special reports.

Roy's Big Day
Our very own Roy Noble was inaugurated into the Gorsedd y Beirdd during the Eisteddfod - but what does that mean? Before the big day chatted on his show to broadcaster, historian and Gorsedd member Hywel Teifi Edwards about who the Gorsedd are, what it takes to be a member, and how to pick the perfect Bardic name.
Listen to the clip

Sian talks Roy through it
Someone who had made it as a Member of the Gorsedd is BBC Radio Cymru's Sian Thomas. Before the big day Sian talked Roy through what was to happen, what the gowns are all about, and how it went for her.
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'Good Morning Wales' and 'Good Evening Wales'
On the first morning of the Eisteddfod 'Good Morning Wales' came live from the Maes, with presenter Ollie Hides hosting a discussion about Wales' relationship with it's language. On the panel Ollie was joined by Welsh speakers (both first-language and learners) and non-Welsh speakers, who each provided their perspective on this ever-thorny issue.
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Rhodri Morgan on the Maes
Monday marked the First Minister's second day on the Maes, albeit his first in a professional capacity - on Sunday he'd come along with the grandchildren. Rhodri talked about the broad appeal of the Eisteddfod, his first visits to the festival, the importance of aspects such as science and technology, and the Eisteddfod's role in bringing future career prospects in Wales to the attention of younger visitors.
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Sian's updates from the Maes
Every weekday on the Mal Pope programme (Mal's standing in for Roy who, as you'll have seen, had a very special day on the Friday), Sian Pari Huws brought us a flavour of life on the Maes with live reports from the festival.
On Monday Sian updated us on the day's competitions, and talked to a different sort of winner; the recipients of the first UN "gold stars", awarded to two Welsh communities who've led pioneering efforts to build links with Africa. Sian talked to people from a community in Rhondda Cynon Taf who have worked to contructively help the people of Umbali, including a teacher who told of the enormous benefits the scheme has brought to local schoolchildren through awareness and fundraising activities.
Listen to Sian's report