During June 2006 Eifion Davies of Pontarddulais received a surprise letter from the Eisteddfod committee. It asked him whether he would be interested in being made a member of the Gorsedd at the Swansea and District Eisteddfod. Eifion wrote back stating it would be a 'great honour for him'.

In order for this to happen, you must be nominated for a specific reason such as services to the arts in Wales. The ceremony to welcome you to the Gorsedd is held on the Friday during Eisteddfod week on the Maes. During this time new members are given a bardic name - you are able to make three suggestions for this. Eifion's are - Cae Glas (his late family home), Gopa (his chapel) and Bont (Pontarddulais).

Eifion discusses this further:

'One of the greatest honours that can be bestowed on any Welshman is to be admitted to the Gorsedd! I consider this to be a great honour and I am looking forward to the ceremony very much.

After being involved in the cultural activities of the area, such as education, religion, politics and music for the last half century or more, I am looking forward to being accepted into the Gorsedd at the Eisteddfod in Swansea.

I taught art in the locality with children and adults for 39 years until I retired four years ago. I am involved with the Eisteddfod as a competitor in Fine Art competitions in various Eisteddfodau through the years. I have also competed with with Cor Meibion Pontarddulais.

I have represented the community as a councillor on Lliw Valley Borough Council for many years, until the re-organisation of local government. Also I have been a member of the Town Council since it's inception in 1986. I had the honour of designing the mayoral chain of office for Pontarddulais.

In 2005 Pontarddulais celebrated the Rebecca uprising of 160 years ago - and I helped to design the memorial stones at the sites of the Bolgoed and Dulais Tollgates'.

Eifion is definitely looking forward to the Eisteddfod. His highlights of the week are often centred around the Art and Craft Pavilion, where he enjoys discussing new work. Also he looks forward to the evening choral concerts. Eisteddfod memories date back to the Urdd Eisteddfod held in Hendy Park in 1949 which he attended with his parents and siblings. His tip for non Welsh speakers visiting the Eisteddfod is to use the on-site translation service - headphones for this can be picked up at the main entrance. Then you are free to enjoy the week what ever your interests may be.