VISITORS to next year’s Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod Maes will be welcomed with a very different look.

A brand new pavillion will replace the festival’s iconic Pink Pavillion

The Eisteddfod Chief Executive Elfed Roberts described the introduction of the pavilion as a new chapter.

He said: “This is the beginning of a new chapter after ten years of the Pink Pavillion.”

“Like everyone else, we’ll miss the Pink Pavilion. It was an iconic building which grasped everyone’s imagination, but it’s time to move on, and we are very excited at the prospect of having a new pavilion on the Maes in Abergavenny.

He added: “The new structure is called ‘Evolution’ and is a far-reaching development for us, offering a much better experience for the audience, competitors and performers on stage.”

“The resources will be excellent, with potential for us to use the space in a new and different way, so we can be ambitious and creative, and we are all looking forward to the next few years."

Mr Roberts said that whilst the Pink Pavillion provided a unique promotional opportunity, structural poles obscured the view from a large number of seats and that external noise was a problem during competitions.

“Preparations for the Eisteddfod are going very well, and I would like to thank everyone working locally raising awareness and funds. There is definitely a warm welcome awaiting us on Castle Meadows next year.”

The National Eisteddfod takes place on Castle Meadows in Abergavenny between July 29 and August 6.