It wouldn’t be a Welsh festival without a bit of rain, and there was certainly plenty of it in Boncath on Monday.

Despite the weather, the first day of the Urdd Eisteddfod was a great success, with competitors and visitors alike trudging through the mud on the Maes.

Preliminary rounds started early in the morning, with schools from all over Wales taking part in singing, dancing and recitals.

When not on stage, there was lots to see and do, with art and craft displays and a huge selection of Welsh goodies for sale.

Ysgol y Preseli School’s tent proved popular too, with members of its Digital Leaders club on hand to demonstrate the importance of embracing modern technology.

A group of Preseli students were also working behind the scenes as reporters and photographers for Welsh language news site Golwg360.

Year 13 pupil Glyn Rainer said it was a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ as he wants to be a documentary film-maker.

Speaking on Monday morning, minister for education and skills, Leighton Andrews, said: “Children and young people are the future of the Welsh language.

“For the language to thrive we must ensure they have opportunities to use it outside of the classroom.”

He also encouraged learners and non-Welsh speakers to visit the Maes.

Around 40,000 children take part in Urdd competitions at regional level, with more than 15,000 performing on the Maes during Eisteddfod week.