Anger as Urdd applies for own alcohol licence; Bar plans for young people's Eisteddfod are slammed.Byline: ERYL CRUMP crump v. crumped, crump·ing, crumps v.tr. 1. To crush or crunch with the teeth. 2. To strike heavily with a crunching sound. v.intr. PLANS to have a bar at next year's Urdd National Eisteddfod eisteddfod (īstĕth`vəd, –vôd) [Welsh,=session], Welsh competitive festival. Contests traditionally are held in all the arts and crafts, with special emphasis on music and poetry. have come under fire from anti-drink campaigners. Urdd officials were given the go-ahead to apply for a licence for the week-long festival, in Ceredigion, by the movement's council. Eisteddfod director Aled Sion said it would not be the first time alcohol has been available during the festival, but was the first time the Urdd applied for a licence of its own. He said: "The Eisteddfod has been held at the Wales Millennium Centre The Wales Millennium Centre (Welsh: Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru) is a centre for the performing arts located on the Cardiff Bay waterfront. Opened in November 2004, it has hosted performances of opera, ballet, dance, comedy and musicals. in Cardiff twice in the last four years and there are licensed facilities within the building. "We had no difficulties with that. Indeed we had fewer problems with alcohol than at other Eisteddfodau. "A number of people have asked why there was no opportunity for them to enjoy a glass of wine or similar with their lunch on the Maes. "The matter was taken to the Eisteddfod Council and after a discussion it was agreed we would offer alcohol on the Maes next year." He pointed out the National Eisteddfod has had a bar on the Maes since 2004 and there are licensed facilities at other events like the Royal Welsh Show The Royal Welsh Show is the biggest agricultural show in Europe. It is organised by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, and takes place in July of each year, at Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells in mid-Wales. and the Faenol Festival The Faenol Festival (Welsh: Gŵyl y Faenol) is a music festival organised by Welsh singer Bryn Terfel and held annually on the Faenol Estate (Welsh: Y Faenol), near Y Felinheli in north Wales. . Eisteddfod director Aled Sion Retired teacher Emlyn Jones, 75, from Llanrug said: "Its a bad move by the Urdd. There was no bar on the Eisteddfod Maes for nearly 80 years so why have one now? It isn't needed." Wynford Ellis Owen, chief executive officer of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, said the move sent "the wrong message". He said: "The Urdd believe this is part of being modern and moving with the times. But it flies in the face of evidence to the contrary of the dangers of alcohol to young people. "The Urdd Eisteddfod is an event for young people, one of the few left that does not have alcohol available. It should remain like that." Mr Owen said he would be pressing Urdd officials for an early meeting to discuss the matter. "If I can have 10 minutes to talk to the council I feel certain they will change their mind," he said. erylcrump@dailypost.co.uk CAPTION(S): Eisteddfod director Aled Sion |
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