Eisteddfod 1954

Series

Series Name
Mining Review 7th Year

Issue

Issue No.
2
Date Released
Oct 1953
Stories in this Issue:

Story

Story No. within this Issue
1 / 3
Summary
BFI synopsis: The consecration of the grounds for next year’s (1954) Eisteddfod at Ystradgynlais, Glam.
NCB Commentary - It’s a great day for Ystradgynlais. For this town is the choice for 1954’s national esteddfod and today, a year ahead, the ceremony of the eisteddfod proclamation takes place.
All the world loves a procession, and none more than the Welsh. From the constabulary, well in the lead, to schoolchildren in their national dress, the people join in to celebrate a truly Welsh occasion.
On the Rectory field, where the ceremony takes place, the Bards position themselves in the circle of stone - ‘in tye face of the sun, the eye of light’. After the opening prayer, Archdruid Cynan shows the sword of peace. To the Archdruid, the Eirlas Horn is offered as a token of welcome to the district. Now comes the presentation of the traditional sheaf of corn, a rite symbolising the wish of the children to give their talents to next year’s Eisteddfod.
And here is the high point of the ceremony. The trumpet sounds, and the Archdruid reads from the scroll the declaration of the 1954 Eisteddfod. To some, the occasion called for a picnic, or for the chance to steal a march on the land. But to most Welsh people, the ceremony has a deeper meaning in its reverence for the poetic and musical traditions of the Principality.
In readiness to be the centrepoint of next year’s ceremonies, the garlanded Logan Stone waits on alone.
Researcher Comments
According to bfi records, this story was filmed on the 18th June 1953. Commentary recorded 4 September 1953.
Keywords
Music and dance; Food and cooking; Children; Celebrations and festivals; Fashion and costume; Religion and belief
Locations
Wales; Ystradgynlais
Written sources
British Film Institute Databases   Used for Synopsis
Film User   Vol.8 No.89 March 1954, p138.
The National Archives COAL 32   /3 Scripts for Mining Review, 1949-1956
Credits:
Production Co.
Documentary Technicians Alliance
Camera
Kenneth Reeves
Director
Leslie Shepard
Sponsor
National Coal Board
Camera
Ronald Bicker

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