Urdd Gobaith Cymru: Achlysurol, HMS Morris, Llareggub Brass Band – Mathrafal Field, Meifod

So what is the Urdd? Urdd Gobaith Cymru is Wales’ largest youth organisation. It provides sports, arts, volunteering, apprenticeship, outdoor pursuits, humanitarian, international and residential opportunities for children and young people through the medium of Welsh.

I knew about it because someone once played Urdd against me at Scrabble. I challenged it, they told me what it was. I can’t remember who won the challenge.

I didn’t expect to ever be going to one – but as luck would have it, we moved to Wales 4 months ago and this year’s Urdd is taking place just 5 miles from our new home, so we HAVE to go. Only for one day though – the “adult bands” music mostly happens at the end of the week, and we’re on holiday tomorrow, so it was today or nothing.

The Urdd switches location every year and my old county (Maldwyn) is VERY pleased to be hosting it. There are hand painted signs everywhere for miles around, mainly in a triangle with horizontal stripes of white, red and green, the Urdd’s logo. (Almost the Bulgarian flag but not quite).

Even if it was just for one evening, it was nice to be at a festival again, eating festival food, walking around the tents and interviewing bands too! I’d arranged to meet up with HMS Morris and chatted to them, and they were lovely. I’ve just discovered last year’s album Dollard Lizard Money Zombie, and I have made a very big mental note not to miss any of their future releases – or shows within a decent drive’s length.