Ashmole & Co delighted to sponsor the Urdd Eisteddfod taking place in Carmarthenshire

Ashmole & Co, one of south Wales’ largest bilingual accountancy firms, is delighted to sponsor a new aspect of the Urdd Eisteddfod, taking place in Llandovery, Carmarthenshire next week.

As the Auditor of Cwmni Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Ashmole & Co know the importance of the organisation when it comes to helping with children’s speech and language skills through the various competitions and so were keen to help support the movement financially.

This year, for the first time, the Urdd Eisteddfod will be partnering with Makaton translator, Ceri Bostock, to translate and perform Makaton translations during choir or group competitions and Ashmole & Co have agreed to sponsor this important extra service during the event.

The effects of Covid 19 on children’s speech and language skills have been huge and so the Urdd Eisteddfod felt it was important to show Makaton translators as part of the Eisteddfod’s mainstream competitions to encourage use of the language and to help young competitors with communication. Makaton is also extremely beneficial for Welsh learners; Ceri Bostock will not only help children with learning and speech difficulties but also help Welsh learners to understand the meaning of words or poems.

Ceri Llwyd, Ashmole & Co’s Partner in the Llandovery and Llandeilo office, said, “The Urdd Eisteddfod means a lot to me personally having competed since I was aged six. Now as a mum, I encourage my children to get involved and compete.” 

Ceri continued, “As well as Cwmni Urdd Gobaith Cymru, I am the Partner at Ashmole & Co responsible for the accounts, and audit where applicable, for Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, Mentrau Iaith Cymru, Menter Dinefwr, Menter Gorllewin Sir Gâr. When I was invited to tender for the audit services of Cwmni Urdd Gobaith Cymru I had no hesitation in wanting to work with this client given the importance of the organisation in Wales, even though it was during the middle of the pandemic! We have developed an excellent working relationship and I very much hope that this will continue for years to come.”

Ceri lives in Cross Hands with her two young sons and has been a partner with Ashmole & Co since 2008 when the firm opened its office in Llandovery. Ceri is a fluent Welsh speaker and specialises in working with charities, farmers, solicitors and family run businesses. Ceri enjoys singing in her spare time with Côr Llanddarog a’r Cylch.

Ceri said, “My client portfolio in the Welsh sector has grown significantly over the years and being able to provide a service where the accounts are prepared in Welsh as well as undertaking the work and general conversation in Welsh is somewhat of a niche area. All the staff in the Llandovery office are very excited about the prospect of having this major event on our doorstep. It’s such a fantastic opportunity for our small rural town.”

The Urdd Eisteddfod takes place in Llandovery from 29 May until 3 June in Llandovery. This will be the eighth time that Carmarthenshire have hosted the Urdd Eisteddfod although this will be the first time that the Eisteddfod is visiting Llandovery. For full details visit the website: https://www.urdd.cymru/en/eisteddfod/20231/