The 2025 National Eisteddfod Crown by Neil Rayment and Elan Rowlands

19 Jun 2025

This our second year in a row of crown making. This unprecedented continuation not only honours the trust placed in our hands but also reinforces our dedication to sustaining the highest level of craftsmanship and keeping the tradition of hand-crafted design alive for future generations.

The 2025 crown is inspired by the ancient fossils discovered in Brymbo Forest—dating back over 300 million years to the Carboniferous period. During this era, layers of plant debris, combined with flooding caused by natural events, formed the rich coal seams that would one day shape the industrial legacy of Wrexham. These fossils serve as the symbolic bedrock of the crown—representing the deep-rooted foundations of the region’s identity.

A repeating organic pattern taken directly from fossilised forms encircles the crown. Embedded within alternating patterns are key dates that mark significant milestones in Wrexham’s history:

• 1725 – Construction of Strode House near Brymbo
• 1782 – Beginning of Wrexham’s Industrial Revolution: John Wilkinson opens Bersham Ironworks
• 1792 – Establishment of Brymbo Ironworks
• 1795 – Completion of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
• 1864 – Founding of Wrexham Football Club
• 1882 – Launch of Wrexham Lager
• 1900 – James Idwal Jones produces the first Welsh-language historical atlas of Wales
• 1913 – Over 10,000 workers employed in coal mining
• 1934 – The Gresford Mining Disaster claims 266 lives
• 2021 – Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchase Wrexham AFC

At the centre of the crown is a reimagining of the ‘Nod y Cyfrin’ symbol, originally designed for last year’s Eisteddfod, now featuring a rugged, stone-like texture to echo the geological inspiration. The word WRECSAM is proudly set across the crown in a bespoke font that pays tribute to the iconic “Wrexham” Hollywood-style sign unveiled in 2021.

Alongside the crown, we’re proud to present a limited-edition jewellery collection available exclusively at our stall during the Eisteddfod. Each piece has been crafted using the master mould developed for the crown, featuring the same distinctive organic shape inspired by the ancient Brymbo fossils. Available in both sterling silver and solid gold. A unique opportunity to own a piece of the crown’s story.

A statement from Elan Rowlands,

"It’s both a privilege and a joy to have been the youngest craftswoman to collaboratively design and craft last year’s Eisteddfod crown—and now, to be one of the first designer-makers to create it for a second consecutive year is an honour that holds a deep creative significance for me.

"Designing the crown for the second time is not only a professional milestone but a very fulfilling creative experience. There’s something incredibly special about taking a concept rooted in place, history, and memory, and translating it into a symbolic, wearable artwork.

"This project holds a deeply personal resonance for me. My great-great grandfather worked in the coal mines of Hafod in Rhos, and my father was raised in the area. As I researched its industrial past, I was especially moved by the story of the Gresford Disaster, where 266 men lost their lives. The crown honours their memory, and the enduring strength and resilience of the community they helped build."

A statement from Neil Rayment,

"I’ve had the privilege of working on many iconic projects throughout my career as a silversmith and goldsmith—both nationally and internationally—with a number of those pieces earning award-winning recognition. Yet, this second National Eisteddfod crown holds a uniquely special place in my journey.

"As with the first, this has been an exceptional creative partnership—one that honours the dynamic between master and apprentice, experience and fresh perspective. The process has been deeply collaborative, underpinned by mutual respect and a shared passion for excellence in craft.

"This crown is more than a ceremonial object; it is a piece of heritage art, designed and made by hand, and rooted in both tradition and innovation. It places us firmly within the ongoing story of Welsh cultural history—a legacy I am incredibly proud to contribute to.

"To thrive as a business in Wales, and to mentor the next generation of Welsh contemporary artists and makers, is not just a privilege—it’s a responsibility I hold with deep pride."

View Neil Rayment Goldsmiths

Source: Neil Rayment Goldsmiths