THE 40th ANNUAL PAINSCASTLE BILINGUAL BARDIC EISTEDDFOD – This year, Painscastle Eisteddfod celebrated 40 years since it recommenced in the late 1960s. The children took to the stage in the afternoon session, with Robert Downing, from Crai, acting as president. The chairing of the bard is the highlight of the evening and this year, the honour went to Michael Stenlake, from Swansea, with a poem about the Brecon Beacons. The evening president was Afan Jones, from Aberedw, who along with his loyal band of workers made the event run smoothly.

The music adjudicator was Terry Gilmore James, from Newport, the literature adjudicator was Falmai Puw Davis, from Rhayader, while Jill Coulson judged the children’s arts and crafts and the accompanist Mr Michael Channon from Kington helped it all to go with a swing. As usual there was plenty to interest everyone, with many light hearted moments alongside the talented exhibitions of music and literature.