WITH only two and a half weeks to go before the Monmouthshire and District Proclamation Festival, people across the region are busily preparing for a memorable day.

The Proclamation is held in Caldicot Castle – a clear indication that the Eisteddfod is a county-wide event with stages set up in the town centre for performances by local choirs, schools and dancers, giving a taste of what's to come in a year's time when the Eisteddfod itself is held.

In line with tradition, a procession is held in early afternoon and will include representatives from a wide range of local organisations and the Gorsedd of the Bards to welcome the Eisteddfod to the area, and to welcome the area to the Eisteddfod. The procession starts from the town centre soon after 2pm and will travel to the gardens at Caldicot Castle where the Proclamation Ceremony, will be held on Saturday 27th June.

Historically, the Eisteddfod's intention to visit an area must be proclaimed at least a year and a day before the beginning of the festival. This is when the list of competitions is published, which includes information for anyone wishing to compete this year. The Archdruid, who is head of the Gorsedd, leads this important ceremony and the chair of the local executive committee, Frank Olding, will present the first copy of the list of competitions to the Archdruid. Once the list has been presented, the competitions will be made public and copies will go on sale in shops across Wales as well as at the event itself.

A group of young girls from the area will also be taking part in the ceremony as flower girls. The Flower Dance is a colourful part of all the Gorsedd ceremonies, with eight to 10-year-old girls performing a dance based on the patterns of collecting flowers from the meadows and fields. The girls have been rehearsing for weeks, and will be performing for the first time at the gardens in Caldicot Castle.

A number of other activities will be held near the stages in the town centre during the day, with stands and stalls organised by local groups and a chance to buy the Eisteddfod's own merchandise.

Executive chairman, Frank Olding, said: "The aim of the day is to raise awareness of what's to come next year, and to give people a taste of the Eisteddfod. It's also a chance for some of our local talents to perform and let's hope this will give them the confidence to compete in the Eisteddfod itself next year.

"We are delighted to be holding the proclamation in such a beautiful venue and hope many local people will join us to celebrate that the Eisteddfod is on its way to Monmouthshire and District next year.

"We've been hard at work locally for a number of months, raising awareness and money and it's great to see so much support for the Eisteddfod here already. Thank you to everyone who's already been part of the preparation and thank you in particular to Monmouthshire County Council who have shown us such support from the beginning. It bodes well for the next few months and I hope people from all over Wales will join us for the Proclamation at the end of the month."

A Cymanfa Ganu (congregational singing festival) will be held at St Mary's Church, Chepstow on Sunday 5th July at 7.30pm to celebrate the Proclamation, and all are welcome to attend.

The Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod will be held on the outskirts of Abergavenny from 29th July to 6th August 2016.