Wales YFC News

Theatr Hafren, Newtown, hosted one of the most anticipated cultural events in the rural youth calendar as Wales YFC members gathered for the prestigious Chairing and Crowning Ceremony at the 2025 Wales YFC Eisteddfod, hosted this year by Montgomeryshire YFC.

The ceremony, unique in Wales as the only Eisteddfod to award both chair and crown in one ceremony was led by Angharad Lewis, Head of Welsh at Ysgol Bro Caereinion and former Llanfair Caereinion YFC member.

This year’s adjudicators included acclaimed poet and author Grug Muse, judging the Chair competition, with former Archdruid Myrddin ap Dafydd adjudicating the Crown competition. YFC officials, including Wales YFC Chair Angharad Thomas, CEO Mared Rand Jones, and President David Price, were joined by special guests, sponsors, and committee members who have played key roles in delivering this year’s Eisteddfod.

The Chair and Crown were generously sponsored by Coed y Bryn Nurseries and FUW Montgomeryshire. The beautifully crafted Chair, made by former Berriew YFC member Paul Philips, and the Crown created by David Dart and Robi Wood of Guilsield YFC.

This year’s competitions challenged young writers to submit a poem titled after a place name in Wales for the Chair, and a prose piece on the theme “Connections” for the Crown.

Following the traditional sounding of the horn by Gwenlli Pennant Jones, the 2025 winners were revealed:

Chair Winner – Mared Fflur Jones, Rhosybol YFC, Anglesey

Mared, no stranger to success at YFC Eisteddfodau adds the 2025 Chair to an impressive list of achievements, including winning the Crown in 2022 and the Chair in 2024. Originally from Carno, she now lives in Caernarfon and teaches Welsh at Ysgol Glan Clwyd. Mared acknowledged the influence of key mentors and supporters, including the late Noah Parry, Delyth Medi, Gwen Edwards, her family, and her partner.

Crown Winner – Fflur Hâf James, Eglwyswrw YFC, Pembrokeshire

Fflur, from Lantood, is a third-year Cardiff University student. A talented musician and dedicated YFC competitor, she has excelled across literary and performing disciplines. Her prose entry impressed adjudicators with its creativity and emotional depth. Fflur expressed her gratitude to mentors from Ysgol y Preseli and Cardiff University’s School of Welsh.

Warm tributes were offered by members representing various federations, followed by the chairing song sung by Sion Watkin from Vyrnwy Valley YFC accompanied on the harp by Alecs Peate Evans.

Full results from both competitions:

Poem for the Chair
1st – Mared Jones, Anglesey
2nd – Llywela Edwards, Clwyd
3rd – Eluned Hughes, Eryri & Eiry Williams, Ceredigion

Prose for the Crown
1st – Fflur James, Pembrokeshire
2nd – Mali Evans, Ceredigion
3rd – Carwyn Jones, Anglesey

Wales YFC extended heartfelt congratulations to both winners and all competitors for their exceptional creativity, celebrating another memorable milestone for young people across Wales. The ceremony concluded with a rendition of the national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.