PUPILS from across the county put months of practice into action at this year’s Urdd Eisteddfod.

After winning regional and county competitions, hundreds of schoolchildren travelled to Cardiff to perform at the annual celebration of Welsh culture, largest youth festival of its kind in Europe.

They walked away with a host of medals from a wide range of competitions, including singing, recitation, dancing, cerdd dant, drama, art and crafts, literature, science and cooking competitions.

Ysgol Twm o’r Nant and Ysgol Pen Barras had impressive cohorts, achieving three 1st places each, while Lili Cet Williams, from Ysgol Carreg Emlyn, was one of just five children invited to perform at Disneyland Paris’s St David’s Day celebrations next March.

The podium finishes included Orla Davis-Wood, from Ysgol Caer Drewyn (1st); Malan Edwards (3rd), from Ysgol Pen Barras; Beca Fflur Edwards (1st), Gruffudd Crowther (1st) and Sioned Pugh Jones (1st), from Ysgol Twm o’r Nant; Ifan Ames (2nd), from Ysgol Pant Pastynog; Verity Mae Livingston (3rd), from Ysgol Dyffryn Ial; Amelia Lloyds (3rd), from Myddelton College; Lili Cet Williams (1st) and Elsi Morgan (2nd), from Ysgol Carreg Emlyn.

Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Denbighshire County Council’s lead member for children, young people, education and the Welsh language, said: “Yet again the children and young people have shone on a national stage, demonstrating the wealth of talent available in our county.

“I would like to congratulate the winners in Cardiff, as well as those who took part in the preliminary stage, and the hundreds of children and young people that competed at local and county level. Preparing for an Eisteddfod takes a lot of time, commitment and effort and I must also thank the teachers, parents and guardians for their constant support.

“Being able to perform in front of an audience at all the different stages is a great experience that our children and young people remember for years to come.”

“Our eyes now turn to Denbighshire, as it’s our turn to be the host county for the Eisteddfod in May 2020,” he said. “We are working closely with the Urdd to make sure that next year’s event builds on the success of the Cardiff Bay festival and to make sure it’s an event to remember.

“There is so much buzz and excitement in Denbighshire and the next 12 months are going to be busy for the Eisteddfod team, the council and community fundraisers.”