Abergele Town Council
Prior to 1974, Abergele was an Urban District Council in the historic county of Denbighshire. Abergele Town Council was created in 1974 following the re-organisation of local government and the disbanding of Abergele Urban District Council. At the time of re-organisation in 1974, the area covered by Abergele Town Council included Llanddulas and Rhydyfoel in the west, and Towyn and Kinmel Bay in the east.
Following a review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales, the area covered by Abergele Town Council was divided into three new communities in 1983 – Llanddulas and Rhydyfoel, Towyn and Kinmel Bay, and Abergele. Since 1996, Abergele has been one of 33 community councils in the new County of Conwy. It has the status of a town council with a town mayor.
Abergele has a population of 10,577 (2011 Census) and for local government purposes the town is divided into four wards. The town has 16 councillors representing the following wards – Gele (6 councillors), Pensarn (3), Pentre Mawr (6), St George (1). The present councillors were elected in May 2017 to serve a five year term.
The Council at its Annual Meeting in May elects a Town Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The Town Mayor receives an allowance to cover the costs involved in undertaking civic duties. Councillors receive no payment for their time, but may claim reimbursement for out of pocket expenses, such as travelling outside of the town council area. The Council currently employs three members of staff; the Town Clerk, a part-time administrative assistant and a caretaker / cleaner.
Abergele Town Council usually meets twice every month, except during August. Meetings are held at the Town Hall, Llanddulas Road, Abergele and are usually on the first and third Thursday each month commencing at 6.45pm. Please refer to the 'Council Meetings and Agenda' page for the dates of forthcoming meetings.
The Council is obliged to adopt a Publication Scheme and provide details of the information which is routinely available to the public.
Circle of Gorsedd Stones
WHAT THESE BARDIC STONES REPRESENT
This Circle of Gorsedd Stones represents a Proclamation Ceremony being held on this site on Saturday, 9th. July 1994. This ceremony is traditionally held at least a year and a day before the start of the National Eisteddfod of Wales which this time was held on the fields of Hendre Fawr Farm in Abergele.
THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES
By its Constitution, The National Eisteddfod exists to safeguard the Welsh language and to promote Welsh culture. Welsh is the official language of the Eisteddfod, for the festival exists to help the children of Wales to realise their heritage.
The Gorsedd of Bards provides a great deal of pageantry which we associate with the National Eisteddfod.
On the day of this Ceremony in 1994, the focal personage was Archdruid Rev. John Gwilym Jones who resplendent in white and gold robes, was accompanied by an entourage of former Archdruids and almost 200 Druids and Ovates of the Gorsedd of Bards in their white, blue and green robes.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GORSEDD OF BARDS
The robed members of the Gorsedd of Bards represent an association of bards, writers, musicians and artists, together with men and women who have been honoured because of their service to the Welsh nation. The Gorsedd was the imagination of the brilliant 18th century poet and antiquary, Iolo Morganwg. He devised a ceremony in order to elevate the art of poetry and music.
THE PROCLAMATION
(An extract from the original Proclamation Ceremony leaflet of 1994.)
Today at the Circle of Gorsedd Stones in Pentre Mawr Park, we proclaim that within thirteen months from this date, the 1995 Eisteddfod will be officially opened. The Bro Colwyn National Eisteddfod will bring Europe’s largest peripatetic competitive festival to this area between 5th-12th August, 1995. It is expected that about 160,000 people will come here to enjoy a very varied cultural programme. It will be a celebration of Welsh culture, to which there will be a welcome also for those unable to understand the Welsh language, with simultaneous translation available and many activities for Welsh learners.
THE ORDER OF THE CEREMONY IN 1994
FANFARE – The Archdruid requests the audience to rise when the fanfare is sounded.
THE GORSEDD PRAYER – Rev. Ifor ap Gwilym
THE GORSEDD IS DECLARED OPEN by the Archdruid John Gwilym
HYMN – Tune ‘Sanctus’
ADDRESS by the Archdruid John Gwilym.
PRESENTATION OF THE HIRLAS HORN by one of the Mothers of the area. As she approaches the Logan Stone, she curtsies three times – the third time after reaching the Stone. On presenting the Horn she says “Venerable Archdruid, in the name of the homes of Bro Colwyn, I beseech you to drink of the wine of our welcome to the Gorsedd and to the Eisteddfod”.
After the Archdruid has drunk from the Hirlas Horn he returns it to the Presenter saying “Thank you my child. May the blessing of Heaven be on the homes of Bro Colwyn and of your Eisteddfod”.
THE PROCLAMATION CYWYDD SINGER – Rhian yr Alwen.
WELCOME The Chairman of the Executive Committee welcomes the Gorsedd to the area and presents the first copy of the list of Competitions to the Archdruid
BARDIC ADDRESSES
PRESENTATION OF THE FLOWER TOKEN by Miss Angharad Davies along with two Handmaidens. One of the young maidens of the area presents the Flower Token, a small sheaf of flowers gathered from the soil and land of Wales.
THE FLOWER DANCE by pupils of Ysgol Sant Elfod, Ysgol Glan Morfa and Ysgol Glan Gele Abergele, accompanied by Instrumentalists from Ysgol Llandrillo yn Rhos.
READING THE BRO COLWYN PROCLAMATION SCROLL by the Recorder Jams Nicholas
FANFARE BY TWO TRUMPETERS after which the audience stands and joins in the singing of the closing hymn to the tune of ‘Groeswen’.
THE CEREMONY IS DECLARED CLOSED
