Flying the flag for Wales

As a celebration of the Welsh language and Welsh culture, the annual Urdd Eisteddfod festival is always guaranteed to turn an area of Wales red, white and green. This year however the things flying the Welsh national colours won’t just be flags and painted faces. It will also be a giant pyramid of silage bales symbolising the Urdd logo located at the festival’s entrance. The pyramid was created by IBERS - the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University - to celebrate its position as both a Welsh organisation and as a world leading centre of excellence in agricultural research. IBERS also manage the farmland on the National Trust estate at Llanerchaeron, where this year’s festival is being held. Local farmer Gordon Edkins provided the necessary machinery to wrap and stack the bales whilst the specially coloured balewrapping film was donated by leading manufacturer of silage balewrap and silage sheeting, bpi.agri. This British-based business, whose products are used worldwide, regularly works with IBERS to help inform new product development and as part of its commitment to championing best balewrapping practice. Commenting on the pyramid, Rhun Fychan, Silage Researcher at IBERS, said: “IBERS is proud of its Welsh heritage and of its ability to help farmers produce better quality forage – baled silage included. The pyramid is just our way of celebrating that fact and of commemorating agriculture, itself an important part of Welsh culture. “Our thanks go to both Gordon and to bpi.agri for all their help and support.” This year’s Eisteddfod festival takes place from Monday 31st of May to Saturday the 5th of June. - Ends - IMAGE: Urdd Eisteddfod bales.jpg

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