Have you got what it takes to compose a ballad on an event or theme connected with the history of the old county of Dyfed? A competition is being held to revive this tradition of writing ballads about significant local events. This is part of an EU funded Leader + project to encourage communities to celebrate their heritage, local distinctiveness and pride of place. The competition is being organised by PLANED, Pembrokeshire Local Action Network for Enterprise and Development, who last year organised a highly successful Bro Beca Ballad Competition on the subject of the Rebecca Riots; the uprising in West Wales against the toll gates. In line with the tradition of ballad writing, the words can be set to a traditional tune or if competitors wish they may compose their own melody. Entries can be submitted in either English or Welsh, but they must be in the traditional ballad form of four lines per verse. There will be cash prizes for the winners and a prize for the best performance on the night of the final. There is also a category for Under 16 year olds. Entries to the ballad competition must be submitted by March 23 and the final is being held on April 27 in Maenclochog in Pembrokeshire. The judges of the competition will be Robyn Tomos, visual arts officer for the National Eisteddfod and Tegwyn Jones, formerly of the National Library of Wales, both renowned experts on folk music in Wales. The compere for the evening will be National Eisteddfod chair winner Mererid Hopwood. For more information contact Merrill Mabey on (01834) 860965 or email [email protected]">[email protected]
The winners of last year’s Bro Beca Ballad Competition are pictured along with the judges. The winners holding their trophies are from left to right Chris Stephens, Cath Morgan, Aled Lloyd-Davies and Arthur Thomas on behalf of Myrddin ap Dafydd.
