Archbishop makes history (From Western Telegraph)

Archbishop makes history

History was made at the National Eisteddfod on Monday when the Archbishop-designate of Canterbury, The Most Rev Rowan Williams, became the first Church of England Primate to become a member of the Gorsedd.

He was conferred with the white robe of the highest druidic order by Archdruid Robyn Lewis in a colourful morning ceremony featuring the blue, green and white orders at the Gorsedd Circle just outside the Eisteddfod Maes.

It is a wonderful honour and a wonderful day. I never dreamt this would happen, said Archbishop Williams, who will be installed as Archbishoip of Canterbury this winter.

I was fortunate to have grown up in a bilingual household and my first Eisteddfod was at Port Talbot in the 1960s when I was 15. I feel greatly honoured. The Eisteddfod is hugely important to Wales and the Welsh language.

The Archbishop later joined a long queue to see a dramatic tribute to Pembrokeshires pacifist poet Waldo Williams in the Literary Pavilion (Y Babell Ln).

In contrast to the muddy Eisteddfod at Fishguard in 1986, hot, dry weather encouraged large crowds to the eisteddfod field, although hazy conditions on Monday deprived the eisteddfodwyr of the magnificent views of the sea, the Preseli hills and the rocky outcrops at Garn Llidi and Penberi.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Cymraeg did not get the high profile they sought for the launch of their Welsh language referendum. The Archduid, Mr Robyn Lewis, made the launching ten minutes earlier than planned and when the media arrived it was all over.

The Archbishop-designate of Canterbury, Archbishop of Wales the Most Rev Rowan Williams, wears his white druidic robe for the first time. PICTURE: Western Telegraph.