Meilyr Hedd Tomos Raises Funds for Eisteddfod y Garreg Las by Playing Piano in Care Homes
Over recent weeks, Meilyr Hedd Tomos, who lives in Abergwaun, has been traveling around the Eisteddfod y Garreg Las area in north Pembrokeshire, playing the piano to raise funds for hosting the festival there.
Having raised £170 so far, Meilyr faces busy weeks ahead as he visits village after village with his electric piano, performing and entertaining.
Meilyr is an experienced fundraiser, having raised thousands for good causes through his musical talent.
Over the years, he has raised about £10,000 for various charities including cancer charities, Wales Air Ambulance, Christian Aid, and the National Eisteddfod, which he supports this time.
'Delighted' and 'Practicing Day and Night'
Meilyr is originally from Eglwyswrw, approximately 2.5 miles from the Eisteddfod site in the village of Llantood.
He says he is "delighted" to play the piano and considers it an honour to raise funds for the local appeal committees working to welcome the Eisteddfod to the 'Garreg Las' area.
Now 37 years old and playing piano since his teenage years, Meilyr recalls his initial desire to learn.
"When I was at Ysgol y Preseli, I saw many of my friends playing instruments, so my mum asked me which instrument I wanted to play, and piano was the choice."
Meilyr enjoys living independently in Abergwaun but, due to having Down Syndrome, sometimes requires assistance.
He often visits his parents' home in Abergwaun, where his piano teacher, Elin Owen, comes weekly to give him lessons.
"Elin is a special teacher," said Meilyr.
"She doesn't need to tell me to practice; I practice day and night, no one needs to push me to practice.
For me, there is no better feeling than playing the piano."
From Welsh pop songs to hymns, show tunes, and classical pieces, Meilyr chooses which songs he wants to learn with Elin.
He explained:
"My favourites are songs by Edward H. and Dewi Pws, Meic Stevens, and any Welsh songs.
Dewi Pws was a real character, and I often see Cleif Harpwood when I play the organ at the local chapel."
From Chapel to Chapel Playing the Organ
There is high demand for Meilyr as an organist in chapels across north Pembrokeshire.
He is one of the organists at Capel Hermon in Abergwaun, and also plays the organ once a month at Capel Brynberian, Eglwyswrw, as well as several other chapels requiring an organist on Sundays.
Meilyr Entertains in Local Care Homes
What makes Meilyr unique as a pianist is his special method of learning pieces.
His mother, Heather, explains how his teacher, Elin, has adapted her teaching technique for him.
"Elin came to Meilyr and saw how frustrated he was because he couldn't read music.
She devised a method so Meilyr could play using numbers.
She said Meilyr was eager to play and had talent, so she had to find a way for him to understand.
Elin assigns a number to each note on the paper, and Meilyr learns by reading the numbers.
She brings a new song to Meilyr every week, and I can't understand how he learns so quickly!"
"Elin tells me to practice the left hand first, then the right hand, but I go straight to using both hands," Meilyr joked.
Entertaining in Local Care Homes
Once or twice a month, Heather takes her son to Brondesbury Nursing and Care Home in Cardigan.
The residents have been very generous in their contributions when Meilyr recently played the piano there to raise funds for Eisteddfod y Garreg Las.
Heather, who often has to choose a car large enough to transport Meilyr's various pianos, said they "love him there; he plays hymns and old favourites they know."
Meilyr added:
"They love hymns like Calon Lân and Gwahoddiad and Welsh songs like Un Dydd ar y Tro.
I always get a warm welcome, and when I leave, they ask me, 'When will you be back?'"
As someone who has heard Meilyr play the piano thousands of times, what is Heather's choice when Meilyr plays piano for his mother?
"Meilyr plays Myfanwy wonderfully, and I like his folk songs as well as some English songs like Edelweiss and Sailing."
'Eisteddfod y Garreg Las Will Be Special'
The last time Pembrokeshire hosted the National Eisteddfod was in 2002 when the festival site was in St Davids.
Meilyr was about 13 years old then and has fond memories of being part of the service.
Since then, Meilyr has been a keen eisteddfodwr and performs annually in the Cytûn tent on the festival site.
Undoubtedly, his highlight so far was being honoured in the Gorsedd of Wales at the Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod in 2024.
He was inducted into the green robe for his outstanding work raising funds for charities and for giving his best to help others, including entertaining in local care homes and uplifting the Côr-ona group during lockdown.
"It's an honour to be in the Gorsedd," said Meilyr.
"A crew from Radio Cymru and Shân Cothi came to chat with me when I found out I was accepted. It will be very special this year."
Meilyr is delighted to entertain people by playing piano on the Eisteddfod field.
He will be part of the Gorsedd for the main ceremonies in the pavilion this year and will participate in the Gorsedd Circle on Monday and Friday mornings to welcome new members to the Gorsedd of Wales.
"I look forward to seeing musicians Meinir Jones Parry and Gwenda Mathias, who have done much good work in the area, being honoured."
Meilyr will also perform in the Encore tent on the first Saturday and throughout the week in the Cytûn tent, where Heather will serve tea and coffee.
With Eisteddfod y Garreg Las promising to be an exceptionally busy week for him, will Meilyr get any chance to relax?
"I really enjoy wandering around the field; there is so much going on at the Eisteddfod, and I hope to go to gigs at Crymych Rugby Club.
It will be an Eisteddfod to remember."
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