Commentary to open up Eisteddfod

It is hoped the commentary will make the event more accessible

The BBC is providing live English language commentary on the ceremonies and competitions at the Eisteddfod at Bala in Gwynedd.

Presenters Arfon Haines Davies and Sara Edwards are in the town commentating for the live streaming of the events on the BBC's Eisteddfod website.

It is hoped the commentary will introduce the annual Welsh language festival to new worldwide audience.

Meanwhile, a crown inspired by Iron Age fragments is on display.

A live stream of the activities taking place in the Eisteddfod's famous pink pavilion has been offered on the BBC website in previous years, but this is the first time it will be accessible to people who cannot understand the Welsh language.

Click here for TV coverage with English language commentary during events

Beforehand, Mr Davies said he was looking forward to the challenge of commentating live on the action.

"The Eisteddfod is so important to the Welsh-speaking community and it will be great to show non-Welsh speakers in Wales and beyond what it's all about," he said.

"The main ceremonies make fantastic theatre and it's our annual opportunity to celebrate our poets, singers and performers."

Keith Jones, BBC Wales's head of programmes, Welsh and new media, said the new service was important as the BBC responded to the changing viewing habits of its audience.

It will be great to show non-Welsh speakers in Wales and beyond what it's all about Arfon Haines Davies, presenter

"It gives us great pleasure to broadcast our Eisteddfod coverage on a world-wide platform and we look forward to hearing from viewers all over the world," he said.

The festival, which lasts until 8 August, will also display a crown inspired by Iron Age fragments found in the 1920s.

The crown may have been worn by a bard, say experts

The decorated bronze pieces, short lengths of chain and pieces of folded raw hide were found by Tomi Jones of Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, in 1924 when he uncovered a grave while repairing a wall at Ty Tan y Foel, near Betws-y-Coed.

Experts have recently interpreted the find as parts of ceremonial headgear dating back to around 400BC and have been used by National Museum Wales to create a full scale model of the Cerrigydrudion crown.

Kenneth Brassil, archaeology learning officer for National Museum Wales, said it was possible the original Cerrigydrudion crown would have been worn by a winning bard or inherited as a symbol of status.

The crown, which is usually displayed at National Museum Cardiff, is on show at the Arts Council of Wales's 'Lle Celf' pavilion throughout the week.