Welsh Idol shortlist announced
Rugby legend Ray Gravell, singers Tom Jones and Katherine Jenkins Welsh law-maker Hywel Dda and St David himself are amongst those in the running to be chosen as Welsh Idol in a contest organised by the National Assembly.
The quest to find the nation’s idol was launched January 31 and since then visitors to the Senedd and the North Wales Visitor Centre in Colwyn Bay, including schoolchildren on education visits, have been asked to vote. People have also been able to vote by post.
Now a shortlist of ten names has been drawn up and voting will continue until August when the Welsh Idol will be announced during the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff.
The shortlisted names are:
Ray Gravell
Katherine Jenkins
St David
Gethin Jones
James Hook
Joe Calzaghe
Tom Jones
Bryn Terfel
Hywel Dda
Ryan Giggs
Many of the schoolchildren visiting the Senedd actually voted for their class teacher rather than a famous Welsh name!
From St David’s Day, visitors to the Senedd and the North Wales Visitor Centre will be able to vote for one of the names on the shortlist. Anyone who wishes to vote by post can send their vote to: Welsh Idol, National Assembly for Wales, FREEPOST SWC 3358, Cardiff Bay, CF99 1GY.
Welsh Idol forms part a wide range or activities in the Senedd to mark St David’s day. The National St David’s Day Parade will end at the building, for the first time in its history and the marchers will be greeted by the Presiding Officer, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas. Performances from Côr CF1, Cwmni Dawns Caerdydd (Cardiff Folk Dance Company) Fitzalan School Steel Pan Band and activities including free face painting, colouring in, and Welsh learning taster sessions will take place in the Senedd from 12 noon onwards.
The Parade, which is organised by volunteers with the backing of the National Assembly for Wales and Cardiff Council, will start from the National Museum of Wales at 1.15pm and end at the Senedd at 2.15. Everybody is invited to join the parade or welcome the marchers when they arrive at the Senedd. Further information is available at www.stdavidsday.org