We’ll be posting a message about the party tonight with details of how you can book your place and place a deposit.
Having had trouble getting any response at all from the Eisteddfod catering company, despite several phone calls and messages, we’ve decided to change location to Welshpool.
Y Trallwng/Welshpool is approximately 11 miles/20 minute drive from the Eisteddfod. We’ve found a lovely hotel, experienced in catering for functions and events and with very helpful and accommodating staff.
The final ticket price should be around £20.
We are planning on a fork buffet with dessert, tea and coffee and it currently looks likely that the party will take place on the Thursday evening.
Our venue this year will be The Royal Oak Hotel in Y Trallwng/Welshpool. This is approximately 11 miles/20 minutes drive from Meifod and the Eisteddfod Maes.
Due to the popularity of the date, we have pencilled in Thursday the 6th for our party. There will be a fork buffet with dessert, tea and coffee and thanks again to the wonderful generosity of our Dutch, Welsh learner in Australia, @louis, there will also be a glass of champagne for all.
We are also hoping to confirm some special guests for the evening.
I am aiming to have a booking page up at the beginning of next week - ticket price will be approximately £20pp.
Remember that the SSiW Annual Party is a relaxed and fun opportunity to socialise and enjoy. There is no Welsh only rule and spouses/partners/friends/family members are more than welcome!
Everywhere within about ten miles (or more) of the Steddfod is sold out about a year in advance. It’s the drawback to holding the party in the Steddfod. We’re always continuing to think about this stuff - this year, it’s good that there are people who haven’t been able to make the party previously - but in the future, we’ll certainly consider having two separate parties - well, a birthday party, and an Eisteddfod ‘do’…
The advantage of being in Y Trallwng itself is that I can come by train and have a day at the eisteddfod, then a few hours at the party - but please chuck me out at 9:45 so I can make the last train home Unfortunately this may curtail the number of verses of Oes Gafr Eto that I’m (un)able to sing
Eisteddfod accommodation is always difficult Kev. We booked our cottage for the 2015 Eisteddfod week in April 2014. This was after weeks of searching! We eventually had to settle for accommodation which was larger than we needed - but this has turned out to be a blessing as my brother and his girls are joining us.
The idea this year was to have a party later in the year to accommodate those unable to come in January and those travelling from overseas. So the Eisteddfod seemed like a great opportunity as we usually have so many learners travelling to the festival every year. The plan (up to last week) was to have a function on the Eisteddfod Maes itself, but this turned out to be a no go. So the Hotel in Welshpool it is!
I try and be as fair and as accommodating as possible with the party arrangements, but it’s always tricky as we have such a diversity of learners from all corners - many of which want to get involved in our celebrations.
Let’s hope this years is a good one and next year we’ll try something different.
Yeah, I realise I’m a bad person for not having the Eisteddfod week booked off. I’d just thought “Ooh, 10 miles away? I guess that’ll be enough that I can get a room and go to the party, then drop into the Eisteddfod the next day”. I’ll try to work out how bad the logistics are for getting up and back in a day just for the party. What times are the party?
