Free entry to eisteddfod service

Worshippers will be able to get hold of tickets for the service on Sunday

Worshippers wishing to attend the National Eisteddfod's Sunday morning service have been told they can do so free of charge.

Eisteddfod chiefs were originally going to charge people £9 to attend the service on 3 August in Cardiff.

After talks between the eisteddfod and church officials, tickets will be available to allow people to attend the morning service only.

Any worshippers who want to visit the maes [field] must buy a ticket.

Aled Edwards, on behalf of Cytun (Churches Together in Wales), said they were pleased to be "working in partnership with the eisteddfod".

"It must be emphasised that this ticket allows a worshipper to attend the morning service, but if he or she wishes to participate in the various activities held throughout the day an eisteddfod ticket must be purchased," Mr Edwards added.

The eisteddfod had cited health and safety grounds for its council's original decision to charge to enter the maes on a Sunday morning.

It had stipulated that the fee was to be raised to enter the field, and not for the service itself.

However, after the eisteddfod board held further talks with objectors, it decided to scrap the fee.

Eisteddfod chief executive Elfed Roberts said, "The National Eisteddfod of Wales and Cytun wish to work in partnership to ensure that the Cardiff and District Eisteddfod will be a success and that a sizeable audience will attend the morning service on Sunday, 3 August."

Geraint Tudur, general secretary of the Union of Welsh Independent Churches, said: "I'm delighted that common sense has prevailed and that the eisteddfod is now respecting the all-important principle that people have a right to worship God without having to pay for the privilege.

"I hope that worshippers will also respect the eisteddfod, and not take advantage of the festival's goodwill."

Individuals and congregations can obtain the tickets which allow access to the morning service only by visiting Cytun's website or calling its office on 029 2046 4204. All requests must reach Cytun by 30 June.