S’mae david?
Solihull & Dorridge SSiW Group will be mounting an expedition to the Eisteddfod again this year. I can let you know the details once we know them (which day(s), overnight stays, and so on), but lifts will be available, I’m sure. Hopefully, we will coincide with the party night!
Hwyl,
Stu
Thanks @aran and @essenbee, this is very useful information. Once dates and venues are known then we’ll be able to start making arrangements! Yay!
We have booked a week in self catering near Meifod for Eisteddfodd week (saturday - saturday) so should be able to get along to whatever is arranged.
So, do we have dates and details for the party yet?
Not yet I’m afraid.
The Eisteddfod took their time in announcing which company had been awarded the catering contract! It’s then been quite a slow (sludging through mud) process of getting names and phone numbers.
I’ve been told by the catering company that organising an evening event shouldn’t be a problem. But need to speak directly the person within the catering company who’s responsible for organising and booking events. It’s been difficult to get hold of her, even on her mobile number, as she always seems to be busy with other events. I’m now hoping to speak to her either later today or tomorrow morning… we’ll get there! 
We’ll be posting a message about the party tonight with details of how you can book your place and place a deposit.
Having had trouble getting any response at all from the Eisteddfod catering company, despite several phone calls and messages, we’ve decided to change location to Welshpool.
Y Trallwng/Welshpool is approximately 11 miles/20 minute drive from the Eisteddfod. We’ve found a lovely hotel, experienced in catering for functions and events and with very helpful and accommodating staff.
The final ticket price should be around £20.
We are planning on a fork buffet with dessert, tea and coffee and it currently looks likely that the party will take place on the Thursday evening. 
Just keeping this bumped up!
You’re a smarter person than I am. Thanks.
Fabulous people! Diolch. x
Thanks, although I think it’s more likely because I had just scrolled past the other pinned topics. 
Latest update -
Our venue this year will be The Royal Oak Hotel in Y Trallwng/Welshpool. This is approximately 11 miles/20 minutes drive from Meifod and the Eisteddfod Maes.
Due to the popularity of the date, we have pencilled in Thursday the 6th for our party. There will be a fork buffet with dessert, tea and coffee and thanks again to the wonderful generosity of our Dutch, Welsh learner in Australia, @louis, there will also be a glass of champagne for all.
We are also hoping to confirm some special guests for the evening.
I am aiming to have a booking page up at the beginning of next week - ticket price will be approximately £20pp.
Remember that the SSiW Annual Party is a relaxed and fun opportunity to socialise and enjoy. There is no Welsh only rule and spouses/partners/friends/family members are more than welcome!
Looking forward very much to seeing you there! 
Was just going to book a room for this, but they’re completely sold out 
Everywhere within about ten miles (or more) of the Steddfod is sold out about a year in advance. It’s the drawback to holding the party in the Steddfod. We’re always continuing to think about this stuff - this year, it’s good that there are people who haven’t been able to make the party previously - but in the future, we’ll certainly consider having two separate parties - well, a birthday party, and an Eisteddfod ‘do’… 
The advantage of being in Y Trallwng itself is that I can come by train and have a day at the eisteddfod, then a few hours at the party - but please chuck me out at 9:45 so I can make the last train home Unfortunately this may curtail the number of verses of Oes Gafr Eto that I’m (un)able to sing 
Eisteddfod accommodation is always difficult Kev. We booked our cottage for the 2015 Eisteddfod week in April 2014. This was after weeks of searching! We eventually had to settle for accommodation which was larger than we needed - but this has turned out to be a blessing as my brother and his girls are joining us.
The idea this year was to have a party later in the year to accommodate those unable to come in January and those travelling from overseas. So the Eisteddfod seemed like a great opportunity as we usually have so many learners travelling to the festival every year. The plan (up to last week) was to have a function on the Eisteddfod Maes itself, but this turned out to be a no go. So the Hotel in Welshpool it is!
I try and be as fair and as accommodating as possible with the party arrangements, but it’s always tricky as we have such a diversity of learners from all corners - many of which want to get involved in our celebrations.
Let’s hope this years is a good one and next year we’ll try something different.
Yeah, I realise I’m a bad person for not having the Eisteddfod week booked off. I’d just thought “Ooh, 10 miles away? I guess that’ll be enough that I can get a room and go to the party, then drop into the Eisteddfod the next day”. I’ll try to work out how bad the logistics are for getting up and back in a day just for the party. What times are the party?
I see no reason why that shouldn’t work.