THE Urdd is facing a "financial hit" of £4m due to cancellations and postponements to keep people safe during the coronavirus outbreak.

The National Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbighshire has been postponed until 2021.

In addition, all local and regional Eisteddfodau have been cancelled and the Urdd's three residential centres in Llangrannog, Cardiff and Glan-llyn have been closed until further notice.

The national Urdd Eisteddfod will now be held in Denbighshire in May 2021.

The Urdd National Eisteddfod, one of Europe’s largest youth touring festivals that attracts around 90,000 visitors each year, was due to take place during Whitsun week at the end of May.

The week is the pinnacle of around three years hard work by local volunteers, and the Urdd estimates the cancellations and postponement will have a major financial impact.

With the Denbighshire Eisteddfod moving to 2021, the 2022 Urdd Eisteddfod will be held in Carmarthenshire.

Cancelling major events and closing residential centres clearly present significant financial challenges to the Urdd and initial estimates suggest a financial hit of nearly £4 million from the measures.

The Urdd has been in discussion with the Welsh Government regarding the huge impact the current situation will have on the Urdd, its workforce of 320 and the young people and children of Wales.

Urdd chief executive Siân Lewis said: “It’s hugely disappointing for all involved to have to close our centres and cancel our events, but the safety and wellbeing of our staff, members and supporters is paramount. Our aim now is to safeguard the organisation through planning a sustainable future and utilising our energy, commitment and values to help Wales cope with this crisis.

“The movement, formed nearly a century ago with a firm commitment to Wales and wider humanity, will discuss the current situation with Government Ministers and also explore how the Urdd and its staff could best be deployed to meet the mounting challenges facing the elderly and most vulnerable in Wales.” 

The Urdd is in direct contact with all its stakeholders regarding the situation and will be updating them on any developments as swiftly and frequently as possible.

Today, it was announced that the National Eisteddfod due to take place in August would also be postponed until 2021.