Courtesy Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum of Wales

Curators from St Fagans: National History Museum, Cardiff used the Urdd Eisteddfod last weekend to launch an appeal for memories about the Welsh youth organisation Urdd Gobaith Cymru of which one third of Welsh-speaking children and young people are currently members.

The word 'Urdd' became known to a wider audience thanks to a song by Welsh psychedelic rockers, Super Furry Animals. But rather than wanting to see the future, as expressed in their song, Trons Mr Urdd (Mr Urdd's Underpants), museum staff are keen to track down stories about past Urdd membership.

These will then be used to inspire a 2009 exhibition at St Fagans’ Oriel 1 Gallery, Cardiff. The exhibition will run from April to July 2009 and will coincide with the Urdd Eisteddfod which will be held next year in Cardiff.

Nia Williams, St Fagans’ Learning Co-ordinator said: “The exhibition will focus on how the organisation has influenced the Welsh bringing back memories to every generation.”

Courtesy Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum of Wales

The distinctive Urdd logo, Mistar Urdd, was a key element in the Super Furry Animals’ song about his ‘underpants’. Anyone for whom Mistar Urdd was a central figure in their lives and met friends, gained experiences and skills through Urdd Gobaith Cymru’s activities and wants to share their stories should contact the museum on 02920 573500 and ask to speak to one of the curators.

Chief Exectutive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Efa Gruffudd Jones said: “The history of Urdd Gobaith Cymru is central to the history of Wales’ culture and language. Holding the exhibition at St Fagans’ Oriel 1 will be important to help us remember the past and prepare for the future. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our history with the people of Wales.”

The organisation was founded in 1922 as a Welsh language society but grew into a movement for children and young people. It currently has a membership of over 50,000.

Courtesy Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum of Wales

Nia Williams explained that the aims of both the gallery and Urdd Gobaith Cymru were represented in the proposed exhibition: “The main purpose of Oriel 1 is to encourage visitors to consider what it means to be Welsh and to belong to Wales.”

The Oriel 1 gallery was opened in March 2007 as a partnership between local groups, schools, authors, artists and poets and is sponsored by Principality Building Society as part of its community programme.

Anyone with 'Urdd memories' to contribute can contact Owain Rhys, Curator, on 02920 573428.