A lifelong champion of the National Eisteddfod has been named an Honorary Fellow in recognition of decades of dedicated service to Wales’ premier cultural festival.
GETHIN THOMAS, will be formally inducted as one of the National Eisteddfod’s Honorary Fellows during a ceremony on the Eisteddfod y Garreg Las Pavilion stage at 3.20pm on Tuesday, August 4.
The Fellowship is the highest honour the National Eisteddfod can bestow and is awarded in recognition of exceptional service to the organisation. Only five Honorary Fellows can hold the title at any one time.
Mr Thomas succeeds the late D Hugh Thomas, who died in 2025, joining current Fellows Prifardd John Gwilym Jones, Geraint R Jones, Garry Nicholas and Dyfrig Roberts.
Originally from Porth-y-rhyd, Carmarthenshire, Mr Thomas has been involved with the National Eisteddfod for most of his life, with his connection stretching back to childhood.
Reflecting on his earliest memories, he said: “The National Eisteddfod came to Llanelli in 1962 when I was about four years old, and I was able to attend. Interestingly, that Eisteddfod was held on fields that later became the site of Ysgol Dewi Sant, where I served as headteacher until my retirement. The roots go deeper than one might think.”
During his school years, Mr Thomas competed in eisteddfodau with choirs before singing with Côr Mynydd Mawr and Bois y Castell. As the son of a farmer, he also took part in a range of activities with the local Young Farmers’ Club.
His volunteering with the National Eisteddfod began when the festival returned to Carmarthen in 1974, serving as a steward on the Maes and at the caravan site for many years.
He later chaired the Technical Committee for the 2000 National Eisteddfod in Llanelli, was vice-chair of the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Carmarthenshire in 2007, and chaired the executive committee of the Gŵyl Gerdd Dant in the Gwendraeth Valley in 2011.
In 2014, Mr Thomas was elected chair of the executive committee for the Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod, a role that led to his appointment to the Eisteddfod Council and Management Board. He served as chair of the board for six years until November last year.
Speaking after learning of the honour, Mr Thomas said: “I feel that I have benefited enormously from every connection with the National Eisteddfod. To be chosen a Fellow by my peers in an organisation that has been such an important part of my life for so many years is a great honour.
“I would like to thank everyone who has worked with me and supported me throughout my journey with the Eisteddfod.”
This year’s Eisteddfod y Garreg Las takes place at Llantwd from August 1 to August 8.
