THE SEARCH IS ON FOR THE ABERDARE EISTEDDFOD FLOWER GIRLS
Were you one of the National Eisteddfod flower girls when the festival last came to Aberdare back in 1956?
With the Eisteddfod returning to Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2024, we’d love to hear from some of the flower girls involved in the Gorsedd ceremonies at the time. So, if you were one of the lucky girls back in 1956, or if you know someone who was part of the group, get in touch!
Performing in the open-air to welcome new members of the Gorsedd and on the main festival stage to celebrate the winners of the Eisteddfod Crown and Chair, the girls formed part of the colourful Gorsedd ceremonies, which have been part of the festival week for many years. Usually aged between 8 and 10, the girls were dressed in green and carried a posy of flowers.
The Eisteddfod team working on the 2024 event and project would love to hear from the girls who took part in the ceremony on the festival Pavilion stage 66 years ago, and Betsan Moses said, “It’s been such a long time since we brought the Eisteddfod to Rhondda Cynon Taf, and we know we’ve lost so many of those involved in organising the festival back in 1956.
“We’re hoping that we’ll be able to track down some of the girls and bring them back together for a reunion locally over the next few months. They’ll be aged between 74 and 76 now, so hopefully, some of them will be keen to meet with us and share their memories and any family photos they may have from the time.
“So, if you were a flower girl or are related to one of the girls who took part in the ceremony, please let us know. Email gwyb@eisteddfod.cymru, or ring us on 0845 4090 900 so we can try and organise a wonderful reunion for the girls all these years later.”
The Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod is held in August 2024. For more information go to www.eisteddfod.wales. This appeal is part of the community project, financed through a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Oeddech chi’n un o ferched y ddawns flodau pan ddaeth yr Eisteddfod i Aberdâr yn 1956?
Gyda’r Brifwyl yn dychwelyd i ardal Rhondda Cynon Taf yn 2024, rydyn ni eisiau clywed gan rai o ferched y ddawns flodau fu’n rhan o seremonïau’r Orsedd ar y pryd. Felly, os oeddech chi’n un o’r merched ifanc lwcus yn 1956, neu’n adnabod un ohonyn nhw, cysylltwch!
Gan berfformio yn yr awyr agored i groesawu aelodau newydd i’r Orsedd ac ar brif lwyfan yr ŵyl i ddathlu camp enillwyr y Gadair a’r Goron, roedd y merched yn rhan o seremonïau lliwgar yr Orsedd, sydd wedi bod yn rhan o’r Eisteddfod am flynyddoedd lawer. Roedd y genethod rhwng 8-10 oed, wedi’u gwisgo mewn ffrogiau gwyrdd ac yn cario tusw o flodau.
Byddai tîm yr Eisteddfod sy’n gweithio ar ŵyl a phrosiect 2024 wrth eu boddau’n clywed gan ferched a gymerodd ran yn seremonïau ar lwyfan y Pafiliwn 66 o flynyddoedd yn ôl, ac meddai Betsan Moses, “Mae blynyddoedd lawer ers i ni ddod â’r Eisteddfod i ardal Rhondda Cynon Taf, ac rydyn ni’n gwybod ein bod ni wedi colli llawer iawn o’r rheini fu’n rhan o’r ŵyl a’r trefnu nôl yn 1956.
“Rydyn ni’n gobeithio y gallwn ni gael hyd i rai o’r merched a threfnu aduniad yn lleol dros y misoedd nesaf. Erbyn hyn bydd y merched tua 74-76 oed, a gobeithio y bydd rhai ohonyn nhw’n awyddus i’n cyfarfod ni a rhannu eu hatgofion ac unrhyw luniau teuluol sydd ganddyn nhw o’r cyfnod.
“Felly, os oeddech chi’n un o ferched y ddawns flodau fu’n rhan o’r seremonïau, cysylltwch. Anfonwch e-bost at gwyb@eisteddfod.cymru neu ffoniwch 0845 4090 900 er mwyn i ni fynd ati i drefnu aduniad hyfryd ar gyfer y merched ar ôl yr holl flynyddoedd.”
Cynhelir Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Rhondda Cynon Taf ym mis Awst 2024. Am ragor o wybodaeth ewch i www.eisteddfod.cymru. Mae’r apêl hwn yn rhan o brosiect cymunedol sy’n cael ei ariannu drwy grant gan Gronfa Treftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol.
