Proclamation 1954: National Eisteddfod in Pwllheli 1955

It’s official - Pwllheli will host the National Eisteddfod in 1955!

Artist Charles F Tunnicliffe takes his camera to the Gorsedd of Bards’ Proclamation Ceremony in Pwllheli, June 1954, where it is declared that the National Eisteddfod will inhabit the town the following year, in August. Archdruid Cynan [Albert Evans-Jones], a poet/playwright born and brought up in Pwllheli, enjoys the golden robes and ceremonial accoutrements for what he may have thought was the last time. He crowns his successor, poet Dyfnallt [John Dyfnallt Owen].

Cynan (1895-1970), uniquely, served two terms as Archdruid - 1950-54 and 1963-66. He was instrumental in reforming the Eisteddfod and the Gorsedd ceremonies. He won the Eisteddfod Crown in 1921 (Caernarfon), 1923 (Mold) and 1931 (Bangor), the Chair in 1924 (Pontypool), and was knighted in 1969. Tunnicliffe (1901-79), who has captured Cynan in his pomp, moved to Anglesey with his wife, also an artist, in 1947, their home at Malltraeth, overlooking the Cefni estuary with its rich birdlife. Brought up on a farm in Cheshire, Tunnicliffe had revealed a gift for drawing at a young age and went on to study at the Royal College of Art, London, working as an etcher, engraver, teacher and illustrator.