THOUSANDS of visitors are expected in Caldicot as the town will play host to the Proclamation of the National Eisteddfod later this month.

The Gorsedd of Bards will walk through the town as part of a ceremony on Saturday, June 27, which will finish in the grounds of Caldicot Castle. The aim of the Proclamation Festival is to announce the Eisteddfod’s intention to visit an area.

The Eisteddfod will take place from July 29 to August 6, 2016, in Castle Meadows, Abergavenny.

The chairman of the local Eisteddfod Executive Committee, Frank Olding, will present the first copy of the list of competitions to the Archdruid Christine, during the proclamation ceremony.

This list will then become public allowing poets, writers, singers to find out more about the competitions.

Cllr Phil Hobson, Monmouthshire council’s cabinet member with responsibility for the Welsh language, said: “It will be an excellent opportunity to gather together the communities of Monmouthshire and its surrounding areas and it underlines that the 2016 National Eisteddfod will be celebrated across the whole county and beyond.

“It brings the exciting realisation that the Eisteddfod – a great celebration of the Welsh language and culture - is only just over a year away. Eisteddfod fundraising committees have been busy organising quiz evenings, concerts, a cymanfa ganu in Usk on June 21 followed by one in Chepstow on July 5, tea parties and speakers – there was even a successful beer festival in Abergavenny this weekend."

The procession will start at 2.30pm from outside the Methodist Church and will make its way up Church Road to the castle grounds. Short term road closures will be in place.

The town will stage activities and performances in the centre from 10am to 3pm which will include a stage which will feature choirs, schools and bands along with a host of market stalls.

Businesses in the town who would like an outside stall can contact Louise McGuinn on louisemcguiness@monmouthshire.gov.uk or 01291 420241.