Eisteddfod Confirms £90,000 Wrexham Loss

This year’s National Eisteddfod in Wrexham made a total loss of £90,000, almost doubling last year’s deficit, it has been revealed.

The figure was confirmed today at an Eisteddfod Council meeting in Aberystwyth with eisteddfod organisers blaming the difficult economic climate for the loss.

They also announced savings of £200,000 in what is the second consecutive year that the eisteddfod has lost money following a deficit of £47,00 from the 2010 National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale.

The disappointing figures came despite the annual event attracting almost 150,000 visitors to the Maes at Rhos Berse Farm in Wrexham back in August.

Chief Executive of the National Eisteddfod, Elfed Roberts, said: “It has been a difficult year for the National Eisteddfod as it has for so many other organisations, because of the country’s financial situation.

“This affected our evening ticket sales, income from our trade stands and corporate sponsorship, and through this we made a loss of 4%.

“We controlled the Eisteddfod’s expenditure once again this year, and this loss is not an indication of any financial mismanagement.

“Last night, the Board of Trustees agreed in principle to £200,000 of savings, and the management team is working on these details at the moment.

“There will be changes from 2012 onwards, and a number of these will be visible changes, but our main aim remains to safeguard the cultural activities of the Eisteddfod and its staff.”

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