THE Wrexham economy looks set for a multi-million pound boost when the town hosts the National Eisteddfod in 2011.
More than 200 people attended a public meeting at Ysgol Clywedog which welcomed the festival’s plans to come to the town in two years’ time.
The meeting was an opportunity to learn more about the eisteddfod and its site, and to encourage people to get involved in the preparations for the festival, being held from July 30 to August 6 in 2011.
Speaking after the meeting National Eisteddfod organiser Hywel Wyn Edwards said: “We’re delighted with the large number who attended the meeting and we also very much welcome the enthusiasm of local people regarding the eisteddfod.”
Mr Edwards stressed the important financial boost which comes to an area hosting a National Eisteddfod.
An independent survey into the 2008 festival at Cardiff found the area’s economy benefited by about £8 million by staging the event.
Figures from eisteddfods before 2008 have put the figure at more than £6 million.
Mr Edwards said: “It is already looking good for Wrexham. We know that some hotels based in the county are fully booked for the eisteddfod period in 2011.
“Wrexham has been eager to host the festival for the past few years.
"It’s good news for the area and for us that we’ll be returning to the town in 2011.
“The meeting was a chance to begin organising the eisteddfod locally and the response was great, with many volunteers for the committees which will be set up over the next few weeks.”
Cllr Aled Roberts, leader of Wrexham Council, was elected chairman of the local executive committee with Philip Davies elected deputy chairman.
Gareth Thomas will serve as committee secretary.
The next development meeting will be at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd at 6.30pm on Monday, October 19, when the individual committees will be established.
Each committee’s chairman will also serve on the local executive committee.
Information on how to volunteer is included on the National Eisteddfod website – www.eisteddfod,org.uk – where people can download the form to return to the eisteddfod office.
They can also telephone the office on 0845 122 2003 for more information.
The National Eisteddfod attracts about 160,000 visitors every year, and is held alternatively in north and south Wales.
- In November last year the Leader reported that eisteddfod chiefs were having difficulties trying to establish a host site in the area.
A number of possibilities were considered and rejected for a range of reasons.
One of the major stumbling blocks was trying to find land that was consistently flat enough for the Eisteddfod field and related infrastructure.