 THE Urdd Eisteddfod is the largest youth festival in Europe and gives youngsters a chance to show off their talents. But yesterday the spotlight shone on one of the very first competitors to take part in the Eisteddfod. Beti Watson competed in the first ever Urdd Eisteddfod in Corwen in 1929. Now 91, she remembers vividly taking part in the drama competition. She said: "I was 12 years old and I remember the fun at the practices and the procession. There wasn't an Eisteddfod Maes like now. There was a procession through the town and I remember making a large banner for the procession." The following year the Eisteddfod was held at Caernarfon, and Mrs Watson remembers taking part in the dancing competitions. "I can't remember much of the competing, but we went on the train and I had a new blouse to wear. Those were two very important things, because we didn't travel very far and didn't have new clothes to wear that often. "We would wear holes in our clothes; youngsters today deliberately make holes in their clothes." Mrs Watson, who nursed at Ruthin Hospital after leaving school, said she has watched the Urdd develop through the years. "The movement has done a great deal of wonderful work, and I have always followed the Eisteddfod. I shall be here this week enjoying the competing and the fun." | 
