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Eisteddfod calls for £188k extra of funding

National Eisteddfod management say the annual festival is facing a financial crisis unless the Welsh assembly government increases its grant by 40%.

The board say the grant of £488,000 needs to be boosted by a further £188,000 if the event is to continue in its current form.

It follows an independent report into the festival’s finances which found the current position was unsustainable.

The assembly government said it was aware of the eisteddfod’s concerns.

The eisteddfod is funded by the grant from the assembly government, £350,000 from Welsh councils as well as ticket sales, local fundraising efforts and sponsorship.

The 2005 report, which was commissioned by the Welsh Language Board and carried out by accountants Grant Thornton, recommended that the assembly government’s annual contribution should increase by £188,000.

But since then the eisteddfod has only received an increase in line with inflation.

It is a fantastic festival even now but we are always having to go out with a begging bowl
Elfed Roberts, chief executive of the National Eisteddfod of Wales

The board warned the eisteddfod council at its meeting in Aberystwyth on Saturday that unless the grant is substantially increased, then severe cuts would have to be made in the 2009 and 2010 festivals.

Elfed Roberts, chief executive of the National Eisteddfod of Wales, said it had increased all of the finance available to it by increasing the festival’s gate receipts, putting up fees for the trade stands, broadcasters and caterers.

“I would like to stress this recommendation is not the eisteddfod’s call,” he said.

“This is a recommendation by an independent financial advisor.

“Grant Thornton also did look at ways in which the eisteddfod could increase the income and came to the conclusion that although some increase could be found the scope was not all that large.”

Mr Roberts said that five external reviews over the previous 15 years had made a large number of recommendations to make the Eisteddfod more accessible and inclusive.

Non Welsh speakers

As a result there were more activities on the Maes to look after non-Welsh speakers, Welsh learners and catering for children and young people, he said.

When asked about the possibility of keeping the eisteddfod on one site to save money, Mr Roberts said there was nothing available.

“If we were given adequate funding, then I could say we would be able to put on an eisteddfod which would be on a par with no other,” he added.

“It is a fantastic festival even now but we are always having to go out with a begging bowl.”

A spokesperson for the assembly government said: “We are aware of the eisteddfod’s concerns and we will work with them to examine ways of ensuring that it’s success continues in the future.”

Next year’s eisteddfod will be held in Bala, Gwynedd.

Source: BBC News

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