Eisteddfod medal for Siân Melangell Dafydd

IT was a happy trip home for Siân Melangell Dafydd of Llwyneinion, Bala, who has won the Prose Medal for a novel largely written in France.

The Medal and a £750 prize, donated by the Meirionnydd Branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, was awarded for Y Mynydd Segur.

Siân spent much of her childhood within a mile of the Maes before studying at St Andrew's University and on the renowned Creative Writing course at the UEA, Norwich. She now splits her time between Wales and France.

A seasoned Eisteddfod competitor, Siân took a literary crown at the Llanegryn Chair Eisteddfod, 1995, and subsequently added two Inter-college Eisteddfod Crowns. She also won the Crown twice at the Inter-college Eisteddfod (1998 and 1999).

Her grandfather, Taid Bryn, inspired a love of nature and folklore, and Siân is dedicating the winning volume to Jim Perrin, who provided inspiration, encouragement, reassurance, generosity and a Pyrénéan haven in which to write. Her pen-name Mynydd Segur is derived from the village of Montségur close to where the bulk of her novel was written.

Eisteddfor President Dafydd Whittall, said: "The standard of the competing this year has been excellent. Combining this with the fact that we have succeeded in attracting more competitors than ever before, the 2009 Eisteddfod is sure to be one to remember."

Picture Montsegur by Wikipedia user Gerbil.