On St David’s Day, Maesteg hosted a historic celebration as part of the Maesteg 200 festivities, marking two significant milestones — 200 years since Maesteg was officially named a town in 1826, and 170 years since the Welsh national anthem was first performed publicly in the town in 1856.
The main event was held at Maesteg Town Hall, a community and cultural venue at the heart of the town, which was recently redeveloped to include a theatre, library, heritage centre, café, and performance spaces. The event took place before a full audience and featured an outstanding programme of performances reflecting the pride and cultural richness of the community. Among the performers were Côr Gleemen Maesteg, pupils from St Mary’s and St Patrick’s Primary School, Nantyffyllon Primary School, and Ysgol Cynwyd Sant, together with a historical contribution from Cymdeithas Hanes Bro Ogwr. There was a lively performance from Dawnswyr Pen-y-Fai, a performance by Côr Merched Harmony, and special contributions from volunteers of Menter Bro Ogwr, including Dhani Eagle and Hunter Watts.
170 years were marked since Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau was first sung publicly in Maesteg — a song composed in Pontypridd by Evan and James James, which has since become a powerful national symbol of pride, identity, and unity across Wales.
As part of the celebrations, 10 schools participated in Menter Bro Ogwr’s ‘Gwlad, Gwlad’ workshops, giving children and young people the opportunity to learn about the anthem’s history and reflect on its meaning. The workshops resulted in 255 creative cubes, now on display at Maesteg Library, alongside project work from Ysgol Gynradd Llangynwyd, Ysgol Plasnewydd, and Ysgol Cynwyd Sant.
The initiative began with a conversation with Paul Wines, coordinator of the weekly Bore Coffi sessions in Maesteg Town Hall. Early and ongoing support came from Anthony Bwye, who helped shape the ideas, bring the community together, support the project throughout, and lead the event. Financial support was provided by Maesteg Town Council.
Distinguished guests included the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford MS, and the Member of the Senedd for Ogwr, Huw Irranca-Davies MS/AS, Gavin Thomas, Mayor of Maesteg, together with councillors from Maesteg Town Council and the Bridgend County Borough Council representative for the Champion of the Welsh Language.
Thanks were given to Rhiannon Dixon, Chair of the Menter Bro Ogwr Management Board, for opening the event; to Gavin Thomas, Mayor of Maesteg, for saying a few words; and to Anthony Bwye for steering the afternoon and ensuring everything ran smoothly.
The celebrations continued into the evening at Maesteg Workingmen’s Club, in the company of Gwyr y Stac. This is the historic site where the anthem was first performed publicly in 1856, when the building was known as Capel Tabor. It was there that Elizabeth John sang the anthem for the very first time. The evening concluded with a powerful and emotional moment as everyone present joined together in singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
“It was a tremendous honour to see the community come together to celebrate such an important chapter in the history of Maesteg and Wales,” said Amanda Jaine Evans, Chief Officer of Menter Bro Ogwr. “The standard of performances was exceptional, and the full audience reflected the pride our town has in its heritage. From the creative workshops to the performances on stage, every element showed how powerful our community is when we celebrate our language, history, and culture together.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford, said:
“I am grateful to Menter Bro Ogwr for the invitation to be part of such a special occasion. The work they do to support the Welsh language in this community is fantastic, and events like this show just how important and valued that work is. Hearing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau ring out 170 years on from its first performance in Maesteg was a moment I will not forget.
“The event was a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when a community comes together — not only to remember the past, but to inspire the future.”