A WHOLE host of North Wales figures are to be honoured at this year's National Eisteddfod.

The names of those to be honoured by the Gorsedd of Bards at the Conwy County National Eisteddfod have been announced.

These honours, presented annually, are an opportunity to recognise individuals from all parts of the country for their achievements and their commitment to Wales, the Welsh language and to their local communities across the whole of Wales.

This year’s individuals will be honoured at special ceremonies on the Eisteddfod Maes on August 5 and 9.

In line with the Gorsedd of Bards’ arrangements for honouring new members, all new members are admitted at the same level, irrespective of whether they are honoured with blue or green robes.

Those who have succeeded in the fields of law, science, sports, journalism, media and local / national activities become honorary Druids (blue robes) for their services to the nation.

The Gorsedd admits new members to the green robes for their contribution to the arts.

Only winners of the main competitions at the National Eisteddfod are honoured with white robes.

Among the green robe appointees is Pierino Algieri, of Llanddoged.

The son of an Italian prisoner of war, Pierino was brought up in the Conwy Valley, learning Welsh 40 years ago and bringing up his children in a Welsh-speaking home.

Although he has worked as a keeper and warden in the valley, he made his mark as a gifted landscape photographer.

His book, Eidalwr yn Eryri gained national attention, and his work has appeared on the covers of numerous books and CDs.

Menna Baines, from Bangor, is well-known for her contribution as a journalist, a literary and art historian, and her unfailing commitment to promoting the Welsh language and culture and social welfare in Wales.

Elin Angharad Davies, of Ysbyty Ifan, is a talented musician who has made a huge contribution over the years.

She is head of music at Ysgol y Creuddyn, conducts CoRwst, and is a joint coach of this year’s Eisteddfod choir.

John Jones and Alun Roberts, of Tudweiliog, are known to one and all as John ac Alun, the much-loved musical duo.

Their music has attracted thousands of followers, and they have supported many local and national charities.

Their roots are firmly planted in Pen Llyn, an area which has featured prominently in the duo’s repertoire.

Geraint Løvgreen, of Caernarfon, has made a major contribution to the Welsh pop scene since the 1970s, and is a familiar voice on popular programmes such as Talwrn y Beirdd.

He is an extremely productive composer and performer, and is highly respected by both poets and musicians.

Gwenda Roberts, Sarn, has made a valuable contribution to her local area for years.

She is the clerk of Botwnnog Community Council and has been secretary of the Llyn Sheep Society for 35 years, retiring as a JP last year after 15 years’ service.

Her lifetime contribution to Capel Hebron, Llangwnnadl, is to be celebrated – having been an organist for over 50 years and a Sunday School teacher for many years.

The contribution of Blaenau Ffestiniog's Vivian Parry Williams to the cultural and social life of his area is considerable.

He is an expert on the history of Ffestiniog and Nant Conwy, and has extensively researched that field, especially the period from the mid-19th century onwards.

For a decade and more, Patrick Young, of Llan Ffestiniog, has ensured that opera through the medium of Welsh has been given its rightful status.

He established OPRA Cymru with the aim of taking opera to every part of Wales, both rural and urban, giving audiences the opportunity to enjoy works by Bizet, Verdi, Rossini and many others in recent years.

To be admitted in 2020 will be Helena Miguelez-Carballeira.

Originally from Galicia, Helena Miguelez-Carballeira, of Bangor, now lectures in Spanish studies at Bangor University.

She has succeeded in deepening our understanding here in Wales of Galician history and culture, and she is also an expert on the life and politics of the Basque Country and Catalonia.

She has contributed extensively to the field of translation studies, and it is chiefly thanks to her that the Welsh language is now an integral part of international discussions relating to that field.

A number of North Wales figures will be appointed blue robes.

Originally from Penmachno, Christine Boomsma, of Melbourne, moved to Australia when she was nine years old, and although she has lived there for over half-a-century, she remains staunchly Welsh.

She is responsible for the important link between the National Eisteddfod and the Welsh Church in Melbourne, with the winner of the David Ellis Memorial Prize invited annually to perform as part of the St David’s Day celebrations there.

Gareth Evans, from Penmachno, is head of maths at Ysgol y Creuddyn, but his work has helped pupils studying mathematics across the whole of Wales.

He has written and produced many attractive and effective digital resources which aim to educate and inspire pupils, using the internet, videos and social media to share them.

His YouTube videos have been watched over 300,000 times.

Glenys Margaret Hughes, from Ruthin, has dedicated her life to promoting the Welsh language and inspiring Welsh learners.

During her long career, she taught Welsh as a second language in Denbigh and Mold before being appointed head of Welsh at Yale College, Wrexham.

Having produced and co-produced many valuable teaching resources for Welsh learners, she taught Welsh to members of North Wales Police on her retirement, producing much-needed resources to help them with their work.

Penrhyn Bay's Buddug Jones is well-known to generations of Eisteddfod-goers as a popular and much-respected volunteer and supervisor over a period of very many years.

With the Eisteddfod in her own area this year, she is chair of the hospitality committee, secretary of the Llandudno appeal committee and a dedicated member of the Shw’mae Su’mae Welsh learners committee.

She chairs Menter Iaith Ardal y Creuddyn, and for almost 20 years, she has been a leading member of the Urdd Eisteddfod’s supervisors group.

Grace Emily Jones, of Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, is originally from New Zealand, but she moved to Wales after falling in love with Llion, a sheep-shearer from Nebo, Llanrwst.

Having decided to learn Welsh, she turned to the ‘Say Something in Welsh’ app, and within a very short time was conversing in her new language.

With her background in sports and education, she became a member of the Bala women’s netball team and then went on to qualify as an instructor, specifically for rugby union.

For 30 years, Robin Jones, of Penrhyndeudraeth, has been a staunch supporter of the National Eisteddfod, volunteering annually in every corner of Wales.

However, Robin also works hard within his local area and community, and is a well-known compere.

Phillip Moore, of Bangor, set about learning Welsh specifically in order to help others.

Originally from Barbados, he moved to Wales in 2010 after specialising in ear, nose and throat surgery.

He started work at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor and immediately began learning Welsh as he realised that patients would be happier discussing their symptoms and problems in their mother tongue.

Tudur Owen, from Y Felinheli, has won the respect of people who are deeply rooted in traditional Welsh culture, as well as those Welsh speakers who have not yet become fully immersed in it.

He is an invaluable ambassador in an age when many Welsh speakers turn to England and the English language for their entertainment.

His talent in the field of comedy has earned him a reputation across the UK, and he has also made an impression at international and influential comedy festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe.

Glyn Roberts, of Padog, has been president of the Farmers’ Union of Wales for four years, and has worked tirelessly on behalf of farmers for many years.

Although not from a farming background, he had an active interest in agriculture and after studying at Glynllifon College of Agriculture, he began his career as a shepherd.

Today, he manages a 350-acre farm, Dylasau Uchaf, which belongs to the National Trust.

Daniela Schlick, from Menai Bridge, was a finalist at the Welsh learner of the year competition in 2017, just two years after moving here from Germany.

She now works as the development co-ordinator for the use of Welsh in business for Mentrau Iaith Cymru.

She regularly volunteers for the benefit of the Welsh language, assisting with the Llety Arall project in Caernarfon, supporting Paned a Sgwrs sessions at Palas Print twice a month, and is responsible for the fortnightly Peint a Sgwrs sessions held at the Harp Inn, Bangor.

Gari Wyn, of Bangor, is an expert in the world of business and cars. In 1990, he set up his own car sales business, Ceir Cymru.

Providing a Welsh language service is at the very heart of the company, and the language is given prominence in every aspect of its work.

He actively encourages local Welsh people, and young people in particular, to venture into business, and is a young entrepreneur consultant on behalf of Menter a Busnes, regularly visiting schools and colleges to offer advice.

With his background in history, he is an expert on the Uwchaled area, the history of the Cymmrodorion, and of Jac Glan-y-gors in London.

Among the well-known names honoured by the Gorsedd this year are rugby players Ken Owens and Jonathan Davies, and renowned international harpist Catrin Finch.

The Conwy county National Eisteddfod is to be held from August 3-10.

For more information, go to www.eisteddfod.wales