Rugby hero honoured by bards

Delme Thomas is remembered as one of Wales's best second-row forwards

Three Welsh sportsmen will be among dozens honoured by the Gorsedd of the Bards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Llanelli, west Wales.

Two are former rugby players - Delme Thomas who led the Llanelli team in their win against the All Blacks, and Terry Davies, former Welsh international and British Lions.

The third is ex-wrestler, author and poet Orig Williams from north Wales.

The announcement coincided with the proclamation ceremony in Denbigh where next year's National Eisteddfod will be held.

Amongst the others who will be honoured are Plaid Cymru AM Cynog Dafis, transport expert Professor Stuart Cole of London, Myfanwy Bajaj of Ontario, Canada, Clydwyn ap Aeron Jones from the Welsh colony in Patagonia, Argentina, and Dewi Roger Price, the organiser of the Miners' Eisteddfod.

Delme

Delme Thomas was born in Bancyfelin near Carmarthen.

He became one of Wales' best-known players in the 60s and 70s.

In 1966 he was chosen to travel with the British Lions to Australia and New Zealand, before winning his first cap for Wales, playing in two test matches against New Zealand.

He was a member of the Llanelli team who beat Australia 11 points to nil.

During the 1966-67 season he was chosen to play for Wales and received his 25th cap.

The following season he travelled with the Lions to South Africa where he played two test matches.

In 1970-71 he toured Australia and New Zealand with the Lions, where they won numerous matches under the guidance of the legendary Carwyn James - one of Thomas's heroes.

He was made captain of Llanelli during the club's centenary year 1972-73 and under James's wing they beat the All Blacks by nine points to three.

Thomas was also chosen captain of the Welsh team during the same season.

He is remembered as one of Wales' best second row.

Proclamation

Hundreds of people turned out in Denbigh on Saturday to see the march of the Gorsedd of Bards through the town as part of a proclamation ceremony for next year's Denbigh and District National Eisteddfod.

But because of the rain, the actual ceremony itself had to be held in the sports hall of Denbigh High School.

This is the first time in over 20 years that this has happened.

Local eisteddfod officials said there would be a very warm welcome for everyone in Denbigh next year.

The Archdruid, Meirion Evans, in a speech during the ceremony, criticised at the standard of Welsh used on Welsh television and radio and said he admired members of the Gorsedd who were part of the campaign to have less English used in Welsh radio and television programmes.

Before the ceremony, the eisteddfod council had met.

It was disclosed that last year's eisteddfod on Anglesey had made a profit of more than £13,000, but the council also heard that more sponsors were needed for the eisteddfod to develop.