DENBIGHSHIRE is a step closer to welcoming Wales’ biggest cultural festival in 2013 - and Denbigh is still in the box seat to host it.
Denbighshire County Council is supportive of inviting the National Eisteddfod to the county in three years’ time, possibly leaving the way open for Denbigh to host the major event for the second time in 12 years.
At a meeting of the county council, members considered a report from the corporate director for lifelong learning, stressing the probable results of hosting the festival in three years’ time.
Should the county stage the Eisteddfod, councillors were told that up to 160,000 people would be expected to attend the week-long event, while the National Eisteddfod predicts that up to £8 million would be ploughed into the local economy.
At present there is no specific site that has been agreed for the 2013 Eisteddfod and organisers will need at least 140 acres for the event, which includes provisions for parking and caravan sites.
Organisers also need to ensure that the Eisteddfod is located as close as possible to a main town, with adequate road links.
A Denbighshire County Council statement said: “The council has supported the idea of the Eisteddfod coming to Denbighshire in 2013.
“Ultimately, it will be down to the Eisteddfod themselves to decide whether it comes here and the location.”
As for the cost implications of paying for an Eisteddfod, councillors were informed that all 22 Welsh councils provide £20,000 funding each year in an arrangement brokered a few years ago between the National Eisteddfod and the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).
This arrangement was set up to reduce the financial burden on local authorities when the festival visited their area.
According to the report to councillors: “(A) lack of support for the Eisteddfod coming to Denbighshire could result in the reputation of the council being damaged.”
The report added: “Supporting the idea of the Eisteddfod being hosted in Denbighshire would support our regeneration priority, as the Eisteddfod would attract day visitors and holidaymakers to the Eisteddfod, with bed and breakfast establishments, hotels, camping parks and the local economy likely to benefit from additional income from the event.
“The event would also showcase Denbighshire as an ideal destination for visitors and holidaymakers in the future.
“There would also be significant additional opportunities for our children and young people and the Eisteddfod’s legacy is likely to positively impact on the culture and the Welsh language within the county.”
Denbigh Town Council is the prime mover in pushing for a Denbighshire National Eisteddfod return.
Last year a delegation of seven members of the town council met National Eisteddfod chief executive Elfed Roberts.
At the time Cllr Raymond Bartley said: “I feel ... all the signs are good for the town of Denbigh.
“We want the eisteddfod in Denbigh. Not Ruthin or Rhyl, but Denbigh.”
Cllr Colin Hughes said he would “consider it an absolute betrayal” for the eisteddfod to go somewhere else in the county.
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