100 days after the Eisteddfod’s visit to Rhondda Cynon Taf, the shortlist for the Eisteddfod Area Business Awards was announced, a project that is being held for the first time in the Eisteddfod area following the event.
The event to celebrate and reward the businesses on December 5th had to be postponed due to the floods due to Storm Bert, but we are delighted to announce that an event to celebrate and reward the local businesses will take place on Monday morning March 24th in an event at the Lido, in Ynysangharad Memorial Park, the home of the Eisteddfod in Pontypridd in August 2024.
It is a project to mark the legacy of the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod, which is organized jointly by the Eisteddfod and Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf with the support of Helo Blod, the Welsh Government, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Ymbweru Bro.
The plan was launched as part of the Su’mae Shw’mae Day activities in October and this will be the last event of the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod.
The awards were divided into five categories, and over 35 nominations were received from all over the catchment area.
The categories are:
Use of Welsh
An award for a business or company that developed their use of Welsh and created opportunities for staff and customers to use our language.
Shortlisted entries: The Old Library, Porth, Rhondda; Rustico, Pontypridd, Taf; Principality Building Society, Pontypridd, Taf.
Visible use of Welsh
An award for a business or company that made creative use of Welsh in the period leading up to, during and following the Eisteddfod.
Shortlisted entries: The Old Library, Porth, Rhondda; Clwb y Bont, Pontypridd, Taf; Pete’s Shop, Pontypridd, Taf; Bizzie Lizzie’s Baby Shop, Pontypridd, Taf.
Special award
An award for a cluster of businesses working together or on the same site that showed support for the Eisteddfod and our language.
Shortlisted entries: Mill Street, Pontypridd, Taf; Penderyn Cluster, Cynon.
Local Diolch award
A special award presented by local volunteers to thank a business or company who supported the organisers and fundraisers during the period leading up to the Eisteddfod.
Shortlisted entries: The Lion, Treorchy, Rhondda; Aberdare Rugby Club, Cynon; Clwb y Bont, Pontypridd, Taf.
Croeso i’r ŵyl award
A chance for those who live outside the area to nominate a business or company that showed a special welcome to Eisteddfod visitors during festival week.
Shortlisted entries: Zucco, Pontypridd, Taf; Clwb y Bont, Pontypridd, Taf.
Helen Prosser, Chair of the RCT Eisteddfod Executive Committee will present the event, and the awards will be presented by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh Language – Mark Drakeford, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council – Andrew Morgan, Welsh Language Commissioner – Efa Gruffudd Jones, Director of the National Eisteddfod of Wales – Betsan Moses and Director of Mentrau Iaith Cymru – Myfanwy Jones.
Helen Prosser, Chair of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod Executive Committee, said, “Congratulations to everyone shortlisted in these special awards. We look forward to celebrating together at the beginning of December when we announce the winners.
“Thank you to everyone for nominating businesses and companies from all over the catchment area for the awards, and a heartfelt diolch yn fawr iawn to the businesses in the area for all their support, in the period up to and during the Eisteddfod.”
Osian Rowlands, Chief Executive of Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf, added, “It was a pleasure to welcome the National Eisteddfod to the area and to work closely together over the past two years.
The area’s businesses had an excellent response during the Eisteddfod, and I know that a number of visitors have returned to the area since then, which is great for the Rhondda Cynon Taf local economy.
“The awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution of some of our local businesses to our language over the past few months and it’s been a privilege to read the nominations. Congratulations to everyone who’s reached the shortlist and we at the Menter Iaith are looking forward to working with everyone over the next few months.”
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and Welsh Language at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said, “The Eisteddfod was a huge success for Rhondda Cynon Taf, and local businesses were a huge part of making the experience extra special for visitors and residents alike.
“Businesses across Rhondda Cynon Taf pulled out all the stops to welcome visitors from across Wales and beyond, giving them the warm Valley’s welcome that we are renowned for. They worked hard to decorate their businesses, curate their menus, and take full advantage of the hundreds of thousands of people enjoying the week-long celebrations. “Congratulations to all the businesses shortlisted for the Eisteddfod Legacy Business Awards, and I wish each and every one all the best in both the awards and future business success.”