Two Stwnsh presenters Lois Cernyw and Tudur Phillips are presenting S4C’s coverage from the National Urdd Eisteddfod for the first time this year.
Watch Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2012 – the competitions, activities and events – live on S4C from 10 o’clock every morning on 4 to 9 June.
Are you looking forward to presenting from the Urdd Eisteddfod this year
Tudur: I’m looking forward very much! It will be a new challenge, and I hope the weather will be dry!
Lois: I’ve wanted to present from the Urdd for years. I remember watching the Eisteddfod with mum and my sister and thinking how amazing it would be to be in the thick of things throughout the week.
We’re used to seeing you on Stwnsh. How different will it be to present from the Urdd?
Tudur: The experience will be totally different I’m sure, because we are working with a different crew and I’ll be meeting children and young people across Wales for the first time. I hope that the crew from north Wales will understand me when I speak – I still have some trouble with Lois!
Lois: The biggest change is probably the venue as we usually present from a studio or school. Over the years I’ve been getting to know a lot of young people across Wales so it will be nice to see them again.
Did you like competing in the Eisteddfod when you were a kid?
Tudur: The Eisteddfod week was always busy. We’d be competing in up to ten competitions each year, except for the occasional year when there were exams, my mother and father were judging or once when I broke my collar bone! Ouch!
Lois: I loved competing. I was lucky to get success in the recitation competitions from the year 1992 until I was 15. The Urdd has been an integral part of my life.
Has the opportunity to perform on stage at a young age helped you with your job today?
Tudur: Yes, 100% if it wasn’t for the Urdd Eisteddfod I wouldn’t be where I am now! It requires a lot of confidence to perform on the stage, and I’ve enjoyed the adrenaline whilst standing at the side ready to perform … and the same is true when we film Stwnsh live every day.
Lois: Without a doubt. It has given me a platform to develop as a performer. Although presenting is quite different to performing on stage, the skills and confidence needed are quite similar. I would encourage any child or young person to compete in the Eisteddfod.
What memories do you have of being on the field?
Tudur: Running from one competition to another, being late for the stage, horrible rain, going to the fair and feeling sick after being on the waltzers for too long. I remember once my little sister (Lleucu) got lost and everyone was looking for her! Also, I remember collecting around 10 Radio Cymru T-shirts one year!
Lois: I loved going to the Urdd. The excitement of the competitions, the sweets, the fairground, stalls, the variety of shows around the field and of course the freebies!
Is the Urdd Eisteddfod an event you still look forward to?
Tudur: I’m always looking forward to the Urdd, especially as a children’s TV presenter. It’s an opportunity to meet hundreds of children, those who’ve been involved in some way on the TV before, we see some of the same faces every year and it’s also an opportunity to meet some for the first time.
Lois: The Urdd is in my diary with massive stars around it each year. As a Stwnsh presenter we’re at the S4C pavilion every year holding shows and meeting the viewers. This year will be slightly different but still amazing I’m sure.
Click for a timetable of S4C events of the field