Dai Jones Honored at Royal Welsh Show
A ceremony honoring the late Welsh broadcaster and farmer, Dai Jones, will take place today at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Showground. The event marks the renaming of the S4C building to "Corlan Dai Llanilar," in recognition of Jones' significant contributions to Welsh broadcasting and his love for the Welsh countryside.
The ceremony, commencing at 10:45am, will include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque featuring an englyn, a traditional Welsh short-form poem, by poet Tudur Dylan Jones. The plaque honors Jones as a "farmer, broadcaster, countryman." Following the plaque unveiling, a book titled "Cofio Dai" (Remembering Dai) celebrating his life will be unveiled at 11am.
Dai Jones, a gifted singer known for hosting popular radio and TV shows, notably the "Cefn Gwlad" series, passed away in March 2022 at the age of 78. He was a beloved figure in Welsh broadcasting, deeply admired for his passion for the Welsh language, culture, and countryside.
Sioned Wiliam, S4C's interim chief executive, described the renaming of the building as a "simple and natural decision." She praised Jones as one of the greatest figures in Welsh broadcasting, highlighting his infectious enthusiasm. "We at S4C are incredibly happy to be able to honor and commemorate this exceptional man in a meaningful way," she said. "Future generations will also be able to learn about Dai and draw inspiration from him."
Echoing Wiliam's sentiments, Aled Rhys Jones, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Show, remarked on the significance of the Show for Dai Jones, who often stated his greatest privilege was being elected President of the Association. "And this year, itâs our privilege to unveil a permanent memorial to one of the nation's greats," he said. "The Show held a great significance for Dai, and this week we remember with smiles on our faces one of the giants of the Welsh countryside."
The ceremony is a fitting tribute to Dai Jones, whose legacy will continue to inspire and resonate with the Welsh people.
