Eisteddfod hosts Psalm 23-inspired garden

The National Eisteddfod is being held for the first time since the start of the pandemic. And Bible Society is thrilled to have sponsored a Psalm 23-inspired garden for festivalgoers to relax in, as well as launching the new Welsh-language Cyfres y Beibl, The Bible Series in Welsh.

The Psalm 23-inspired garden is just inside the entrance to the festival, and encapsulates the elements of Sarah Eberle’s garden, including naturalistic planting, cherry trees, a water feature and benches where visitors can sit and enjoy it.

Mel Hill, Bible Society’s marketing officer said, ‘It has really been wonderful engaging with both our fantastic volunteers and the general public again; hearing how they have enjoyed both the garden here and at the Chelsea Flower Show, and hearing stories of the community gardens that have been created across Wales.

‘The garden has drawn people in and enabled us to start conversations about how and why the popular psalm has been of comfort and peace in difficult times.

‘It has also been great to introduce people to Cyfres y Beibl and share those resources for churches and chapels across Wales.’

She added that there had been ‘lots of interest’ in the garden which had prompted great conversations.

Volunteer, Emyr Williams, said it had been ‘wonderful’ to chat to visitors.

The Eisteddfod sees about 150,000 visitors a year. It is a cultural festival held in the medium of the Welsh language, which provides a stage for music, dance, the visual arts, and all kinds of competitions. The earliest such event dates back to 1176. But the Eisteddfod in its current form dates from the 18^th century.