Monmouthshire’s communities are busy preparing for their St David’s Day celebrations.

A number of exciting and varied events to raise funds for the 2016 National Eisteddfod this summer have been arranged.

Three barn dances, twmpathau, will be held in different corners of the county with the first taking place at Penallt’s Pelham Hall featuring local Welsh dancers Gwerinwyr Gwent at 7.30pm on Saturday 27th February. Tickets cost £10 (£5 for children) and are available from Robin Davies (01594 563172), Cindy Holton (07769 155830) or on the door if available.

On the same evening Murphy’s Law perform at Usk Memorial Hall for an evening of Welsh folk music, dancing and songs starting at 7pm. Tickets are £7 for adults, £5 for children and £20 for families and may be purchased from Meirion at 72 Maryport Street or the Green Flute Café.

Abergavenny’s Welsh-medium school, Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni, hosts its annual twmpath on Thursday 3rd March from 6pm at the town’s market hall. Featuring a local band, performances by the school’s pupils and hot food stalls as well as Welsh crafts and produce. Tickets are available from the school, Abergavenny Museum, the council’s one stop shop and the Expresso Bar within the market. Prices are £6 for adults, £3 for children and £15 for a family.

On St David’s Day itself, performers The Singing Club will hold an open rehearsal at Usk’s Sessions House with an invitation for guests to sing along to well-known Welsh songs and to learn Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the Welsh national anthem. Celebrations start at 7.30pm and include cawl, bread and a bar. Entry is free.

Usk also hosts a St David’s Day musical coffee morning on Wednesday 2nd March from 9.15 to 11am in the town’s school hall. Pupils will perform and coffee and cake will be available. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for the Welsh language, Councillor Phil Hobson said: “More and more events are planned to support the Eisteddfod as we approach the summer. The days either side of March 1st and St David’s Day itself offer a variety of fine opportunities to celebrate the Welsh language and culture across the county.”