Monday

Monday saw the first of the major ceremonies of the week with the Crowning. The title was taken by Geraint Lloyd Owen of Bontnewydd near Caernarfon, who had come close many times and his brother has won the chair twice.

The expectation of a Crown/Chair double was put on his shoulders as soon as the Crown was placed on his head. Could Wrexham see another double?

Winner of the Crown - Geraint Lloyd Owen

Tuesday

The Daniel Owen Memorial Prize, for the best unpublished novel, was given out on Tuesday to Daniel Davies from Penbontrhydybeddau, Ceredigion for his novel Tair Rheol Anhrefn.

Daniel Davies, winner of the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize

Wednesday

History was made on Wednesday at the Prose Medal ceremony, when the Archdruid Jim Parc Nest awarded the prize to his wife, Manon Rhys of Cardiff. The medal was awarded for a volume of creative prose, of no more than 40,000 words, on the subject of 'conflict'. After the procession left the stage towards the Maes, they were seen holding hands.

The Archdruid and his wife Manon Rhys, winner of the Prose Medal hold hands after the ceremony.

Thursday

The Drama Medal was awarded on Thursday. The ceremony was not as big as on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and there have been calls for the award to have the same importance as the Chair, Crown and Prose medal.

Rhian Staples from Swansea took away the award for her play, based about two people who met on a suicide website.

Rhian Staples shows off her Drama Medal.

The Welsh Learner's prize was also awarded to Kay Holder. To hear a interview with her on Radio Wales, go to our Audio and Video section.

Friday

Tension mounted before the Chairing ceremony. With Wrexham's habit for producing double winners, who would take the title?

As a young man stood in the crown it became clear that a double was not on the cards, but that a crowd favourite had stood up. The Archdruid announced that Rhys Iorwerth, originally from Caernarfon and now living in Cardiff, was the winner.

The Archdruid congratulates Rhys on his accomplishment.

With the Eisteddfod over for another year, we look forward now to next year's at the Vale of Glamorgan. See you there!

This year the Chair is offered for a poem, or a series of poems in full cynghanedd (strict metre) not exceeding 250 lines on the topic 'Boundary'.

The National Eisteddfod for Wales Wrexham and District Chair

                                                              -----------------------------

16:36 - For the final time this week the state trumpet is sounded to call the gorsedd procession into the pavilion led by the herald bard, followed by the bards/druids in their white robes. Each colour denotes a particular rank. The procession is made up of poets, writers, musicians, artists and people that have made a distinct contribution to the Welsh nation, language and culture.

Robin o Fôn, best known as Robin McBride the rugby player and the keeper of the sword walks with the sword of peace.

16:40 - The Archdruid brings our attention to 3 chairs that appear on the stage. T.H.Parry Williams' chair from 1912, the first to win the double (the Crown and the Chair), Donald Evans' chair from 1977. Both of them winning at the Wrexham Eisteddfod. And the 2011 chair soon to be awarded (hopefully!).

16:44 - The trumpeters, Dewi Corn a Paul Corn Cynan sound the state trumpet four times for all four corners of the pavilion to stand, followed by Mei Plas offering the gorsedd prayer.

This year’s chair was created by Dilwyn Jones following a creative input from students at Glyndwr University, Wrexham.

16:48 - The Archdruid invites the three adjudicators, Emyr Lewis, Donald Evans and Gruffydd Aled Williams on to the stage, with the adjudication being delivered by Emyr Lewis on behalf of his fellow adjudicators.

Donald Evans won the double when the Eisteddfod was last held in Wrexham in 1977.

16:59 - The Archdruid thanks the adjudicators and when the state trumpet sounds asks that ‘Penrhynwr’ and only ‘Penrhynwr’ to stand. The lights dim in the Pavilion and a spotlight searches the audience for the winner.

A man stands in the crowd.

A man stand in the crowd.

17:01 - ‘Penrhynwr’ makes his way to the stage.

‘Penrhynwr’ makes his way to the stage.

17:03 - The Archdruid announces the bard to be Rhys Iorwerth of Cardiff.

The Archdruid announces the bard to be Rhys Iorwerth of Cardiff.

17:07 - The sword of Peace is raised above his head before the Archdruid asks the audience three times 'Is there peace?' before asking the newly appointed bard to sit in

17:11 - The chairing song is sung by Huw Euron followed by the flower dance and the Welsh National Anthem.

Rhys Iorwerth looks on.

17:13 - The bard is greeted by Tudur Hallam, last year’s Chair winner and Tegwyn Jones.

17:17 - The masters of the court present the horn of plenty where they are offered to drink welcoming wine from the district.

The masters of the court present the horn of plenty where they are offered to drink welcoming wine from the district.

A floral tribute of wild Welsh flowers is now presented by the maids of the court.

The Archdruid congratulates Rhys on his accomplishment.

17:21 - The Archdruid brings the procession to a close with the Welsh National Anthem.

As the procession leaves the stage and the pavilion Sian Aman, who has be Meistress y Gwisgoedd (Mistress of the robes) for 27 years, takes a bow as it's her final time in the role. She is clearly emotional.

                                                              -----------------------------

To watch the Chairing ceremony again, as well as highlights from the rest  of the competitions, you can go to the Results section on our Eisteddfod site.

The Medal is offered for a volume of creative prose, no more than 40,000 words. The subject set this year was 'Conflict'.

16:30 - The trumpet is sounded to call the gorsedd procession into the pavilion lead by the herald bard.

Followed by the druids in their white robes. Each colour denotes a particular rank. The procession is made up of poets, writers, musicians, artists and people that have made a distinct contribution to the Welsh nation, language and culture.

Robin o Fôn, best know as Robin McBride, the keeper of the sword walks with the sword of peace.

The Archdruid Jim Parc Nest leads the procession into the Pavilion to begin the ceremony.

16:34 - Gareth Williams is invited to the stage by the Archdruid who is representing friends from abroad.

16:40 - The trumpeters , Dewi Corn and Paul Corn Cynan sound the ‘Corn Gwlad’ four times followed by Sara Lian Owen offering the gorsedd prayer.

16:44 - The Archdruid invites the three adjudicators on to the stage, with the adjudication being read out by Grahame Davies.

Adjudicator Grahame Davies

The three adjudicators are Grahame Davies, Hazel Walford Davies and Branwen Jarvis.

16:51 - The Archdruid thanks the adjudicators and when the state trumpet sounds will 'Sitting Bull' and only ‘Sitting Bull’ to stand.

16:53 - A lady stands in the audience.

A lady stands in the crowd.

The mistress of the robes dresses the winner and escorts Sitting Bull to the stage.

The Archdruid asks for the orsedd and the audience to sit.

Sitting Bull is announced to be Manon Rhys.

The Archdruid gives some background on Manon’s life before revealing her to be his wife!

17:00 - The sword of Peace is raised above Manon’s head before the Archdruid asks the audience three times ‘A oes heddwch?’ (‘is there peace?’) before asking the winner to sit in the peace of the Eisteddfod.

The sword of Peace is raised above Manon's head.

Manon is presented with her winning medal and the first copy her work.

Manon presented with her winning medal.

17:05 - A Song is sang by Dafydd Gwnws followed by a poem read by Mererid Hopwood.

17:07 - The Bro Taf dancers pay tribute to Manon.

17:11 - The Archdruid brings the procession to a close with the Welsh National Anthem.

Prose Medal Winner - Manon Rhys

17:13 - The procession leaves the stage and the pavilion.

The National Eisteddfod for Wales 2011 Crown

16:35 - The trumpet is sounded to call the Gorsedd procession into the Pavilion lead by the herald bard.

They are followed by the Gorsedd members in their white, blue and green robes. Each colour denotes a particular rank. The procession is made up of poets, writers, musicians, artists and people that have made a distinct contribution to the Welsh nation, language and culture.

Robin o Fôn the sword keeper, better know as Robin McBride, the former Wales rugby international, walks into the Pavilion with the sword of peace.

The Archdruid Jim Parc Nest (T. James Jones) follows. He is a former winner of the Crown, both in 1986 and 1988 respectively, as well as the Chair in 2007.

16:37 - Before the ceremony starts the Archdruid invites guests from the Celtic nations to join him on the stage for the ceremony. The guests come from Scotland, Cornwall, Ireland, Patagonia, Brittany and the Isle of Man.

16:45 - The trumpeters sound the state trumpet four times for all four corners of the Pavilion to stand, followed by the offering of the Gorsedd prayer.

The Archdruid gives his best to Selwyn Iolen who is absent because of illness.

Wrexham Eisteddfodau in the past are know for the double - T H Parry Williams won both the Chair and Crown in 1912, when the Eisteddfod was held in Wrexham, and in 1977 when the Eisteddfod was held here, Donald Evans won both the Crown and Chair.

16:53 - The Archdruid invites the adjudicators to the stage, where the adjudication is delivered by Gwyn Thomas on behalf of his fellow adjudicators, Alan Llwyd and Nesta Wyn Jones. He announces that the winner is the poet with the pseudonym 'O'r Tir Du'

17:00 - The Archdruid thanks the adjudicators and when the state trumpet sounds asks that 'O'r Tir Du' and only 'O'r Tir Du' stands. The lights dim in the Pavilion and a spotlight searches the audience for the winner.

A man stands in the audience.

A man stands in the crowd.

The mistress of the robes dresses the winner in his robes and escorts him to the stage.

17:06 - The Archdruid announces the winner as Geraint Lloyd Owen from Bontnewydd, Caernarfon.

Geraint Lloyd Owen of Bontnewydd, Caernarfon.

17:08 - The sword of Peace is raised above his head before the Archdruid asks the audience three times 'Is there peace?' before asking the newly appointed bard to sit in the peace of the Eisteddfod.

The sword of Peace is raised above Geraint's head.

The Crown bearers' carry the Crown over to the Archdruid where he places the Wrexham and District National Eisteddfod 2011 Crown on Geraint's head.

17:11 - Crowning song sung by Edryd Williams followed by poems read out by last year's crown winner, Glenys Roberts, and last year's prose medal winner Jerry Hunter.

17:16 - Girls from local schools perform the flower dance as part of the ceremony before Geraint is presented with the horn of plenty by the masters of the court, and a floral tribute of wild Welsh flowers presented by the maids of the court.

Geraint Lloyd Owen - Crown winner 2011

17:21 - The Archdruid brings the procession to a close with the Welsh National Anthem.

To watch the ceremony highlights as well as all the results from the rest of the days competing, go to our Eisteddfod site.

People examining photographs in the Lle Celf (Art space).

The Art work is once again of an excellent standard and Lle Celf is a wonderful platform to show the best of Welsh art. This year there's a focus on the past which is fitting as the Eisteddfod celebrates its 150th anniversary.

The main exhibition is a partnership between the Eisteddfod, the National Library and the Arts Council of Wales. It's a celebration of the renowned photographer and local 'Brymbo Boy', Geoff Charles's work. Many will remember the iconic photos he took at many Eisteddfodau over the years and it's fantastic to see the faces of yesteryear enjoying the festival in these captivating still images. It only proves that although fashions might change-the Eisteddfod is always in style!

Browse a collection of photographs taken at Y Lle Celf on the BBC Wales Arts website.

The Wrexham and District National Eisteddfod Chair

Made from four different types of wood, cedar, sycamore, the African Wenge and the Welsh oak, the chair was created by Dilwyn Jones of Celfi Derw with creative input from students at the local Glyndŵr University. The oak tree used in the chair was cut from the Rhiwlas Estate in Bala where the 2009 Eisteddfod took place.

The chair will be awarded on Friday 5 August for an 'awdl' (ode) in full cynghanedd (strict metre) not exceeding 200 lines. This year's theme is 'Ennill Tir' (to gain ground.)

We are also blogging in Welsh on the BBC's Cylchgrawn site during the Eisteddfod week. Take a look at what our bloggers have been saying leading up to the start of the festivities.

If you're new to Wrexham and don't know what's happening where during the week then you should take a look at our map which tells you where important parts of the Eisteddfod are, such as the Maes, car parks and the caravan park.

A map of this year's Eisteddfod key locations.

To go with our map we have a series of guides and week's highlights to help you know what's going and what to expect from the week. With so much history to the Eisteddfod, and with special poignancy this year with it being the 150th anniversary, we have a section of our site dedicated to past Eisteiddfodau.

Keep up to date with the latest news from the Maes with our blog, as well as our coverage through the week from Radio Wales and Radio Cymru.

The National Eisteddfod for Wales 2011 Crown

To complete the Eisteddfod ensemble, over a hundred shoes have been donated to the Merched y Wawr, Save the Children and the Eisteddfod in order to be auctioned off at the Literary Pavillion on the Maes on Thursday the 4th of August. Shoes from Cerys Matthews, TV presenters such as Angharad Mair, politicians and stars of Welsh soap Pobl y Cwm.

The money raised will go to Save The Children's No Child Born To Die campaign.

To learn more about the Eisteddfod this year visit our National Eisteddfod site where we'll keep you up to date in the build up to and during the week of the Eisteddfod.

The National Eisteddfod Pavilion at Wrexham

It's less than month to go until the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham opens its doors, and if you're planning a trip to the Eisteddfod, then we have all the information you'll need on our sites. Coverage will include the activities on the Maes, to gigs at Maes B and Maes C, as well as information on admission prices and what to expect at the Eisteddfod.

The crown for the Eisteddfod will also be revealed in a special presentation on the 7th of July. The crown has been designed by John Price from Machynlleth and is his fourth creation for the National Eisteddfod.

Keep up to date with the latest news leading up to the Eisteddfod, and from the Maes during the week with our Arts blog.

Welsh Poet Gillian Clarke

With this year's National Eisteddfod in Wrexham fast approaching, the Gorsedd have announced their select inductees. Among the honoured few are National Poet for Wales Gillian Clarke and international rugby referee Nigel Owens.

Clarke, this year's winner of the Queen's Gold Medal for poetry, told the Western Mail that the day holds particular importance as her Mother, originally from Coedpoeth near Wrexham, was born 100 years to the day.

Other inductees include former Wales rugby star Non Evans, broadcaster Lyn Ebenezer and Radio Cymru and S4C commentator Nic Parry.

To learn more about the Eisteddfod visit our Guides section on our Eisteddfod site.

Singer Cerys Matthews

The opening concert kicks off the Eisteddfod's week long festivities on Sunday 29 May.

The former Catatonia singer said she'll be "plundering that Welsh treasure trove" when she performs on the night, singing some old Welsh folk songs as well as some new compositions of her own.

The Eisteddfod is a part of many Welsh children's upbringing, and Cerys is no exception. She says: "Eisteddfods were part of my growing up in Swansea, even though I was never a very successful competitor! So to return this time as president of this year's Eisteddfod at Felindre is a real thrill and I very much look forward to it."

Joining Cerys will be some well known faces like The One Show presenter Alex Jones and West End star John Owen-Jones, as well as rising stars Elgan Llyr Thomas, winner of the Bryn Terfel Scholarship, classical group Elysium III,  and Britain's Got Talent star Shaheen Jafargholi.

More information on the Urdd, including ticketing and accommodation advice, is available from the official website.

This isn't the first time that the Eisteddfod has been held there; the Urdd Eisteddfod took place on the site in 1990. That was one of the first - if not the first - Eisteddfodau I remember going to as a child (I was four!).

This site itself is draped in local history as it was once owned by the Lords Newborough, and boasts beautiful gardens and acres of land, part of which is owned by Coleg Meirion Dwyfor.

Meriel Parry, Chair of the Eryri Urdd National Eisteddfod's Executive Committee said: "Eryri is looking forward to the Eisteddfod and glad that the festival is returning to the area once again and with a great site secured at Glynllifon, we look forward to a very successful festival in 2012."

If you don't know the difference between the different Eisteddfod festivals held over Wales take a look back to a previous blog I wrote.

I'm glad the Urdd have decided to bring the Eisteddfod back to Eryri. A lot of talent has come from the area itself, with some starting out by competing in the Eisteddfod. Most notably Bryn Terfel, who was raised not far from the Eisteddfod site in Pant Glas. Here he is performing at the 1982 Urdd Eisteddfod:

Welsh operatic tenor Wynne Evans

The events will include a night of the best Welsh pop songs accompanied by some of the biggest names on the Welsh pop scene, such as Elin Fflur, Bryn Fon and Caryl Parry Jones. The week will also include some of Wales' most popular operatic and classical performers including Shân Cothi, pianist Llŷr Williams and Wynne Evans - he of the Go Compare adverts - plus Wales' answer to the Three Tenors, Aled Hall, Alun Rhys Jenkins and Rhys Meirion.

Eisteddfod organiser Hywel Wyn Edwards told the Daily Post: "I hope the programme will appeal to our regular visitors and those who live within the Eisteddfod catchment area."

As ever the Eisteddfod has tried to cater to all musical tastes during the week, by appealing not only to those who visit the Eisteddfod every year, but to those in the Wrexham area that might not typically attend the festival.

For more information and tickets, which go on sale from 1March, visit the National Eisteddfod website.

The Daniel Owen Memorial Prize is awarded for an unpublished novel of no fewer than 50,000 words, while the Prose Medal is given for a piece of creative prose titled Rebellion.

Jerry Hunter

This year's Prose Medal winner at Ebbw Vale was Jerry Hunter from Penygroes in Gwynedd. Not only was he the first American to win a major prize at the festival, but he was also the first foreigner to scoop a major prize. Watch his ceremony at our Eisteddfod site.

The 2010 Daniel Owen Memorial Prize went to Grace Jones of Felinheli, Gwynedd. She was a Prose Medal winner in 1988 as well as being triumphant in the National Eisteddfod's short story competition three times. See her prize giving ceremony.

Competition listings for the 2011 National Eisteddfod in Wrexham can be purchased from the official Eisteddfod website.

If you missed any of the action from this year's Eisteddfod from Ebbw Vale you can watch ceremony highlights, results, guides and pictures from throughout the whole week on our Eisteddfod website.

Eisteddfod organiser Hywel Wyn Edwards told the Daily Post: "Whatever your age, however long you've been singing, and whether you're a soprano, alto, tenor, or bass, there is a warm welcome for you to join the Choir for the 2011 Eisteddfod."

In previous years choir members have been lucky enough to share the stage with the likes of Bryn Terfel and Rebecca Evans.

If you are interested in joining the 150 people that have already put their name down, and have the chance to perform in front of a possible 3,500 in the Pavilion, all you have to do is go down to Wrexham's Capel y Groes on Sundays at 7.30pm, and make the 2011 Wrexham and District Eisteddfod one to remember.