Translation Please

[paulanthony262003]

Good afternoon,
In a newspaper article from the 'Carmarthen Weekly Reporter', dated 15 June 1900, I found that my ancestor won first prize at a local Eisteddfod at Ebenezer Chapel, Crwbin, Llangyndeyrn, for the following items: "Castell Toby" and also for "Sillebu Saith O Eiriau Cymreig"

Please can anyone translate the names of the above items and does anyone know what the lyrics/words were for them at all. Id be most interested to discover more about the actual poems/songs.
Thanks in advance ;-)

[GillyJ]

"Castell toby" is "toby's castle". i don't know what Sillebu means but the other words are " of seven welsh words" Sillebu is a verb, i guess,  and could be a south walian version of something - sorry can't help more.

[Morganllan]

Hello :)
I think Sillebu is the verb to spell because sillebiaeth is spelling. Silleb is a syllable.

Best Wishes
Morgan

[alltcafan]

EBENEZER, CRWBIN, LLANGYNDEYRN.
Tea Festival and a Competitive and Literary meeting
On Whit Monday it has for many years been usual to hold a tea festival and a competitive and literary meeting associated with the above Church [sic].  The same was done this year.  Once again all the members of the congregation and the  Sunday school  were faithful to their home and the festival for the day.  It was one of the most enjoyable and happy days that we have ever had.  Between one and two o’clock a large procession was formed near the Chapel to proceed to the top of Llangydeyrn mountain, and there, in the shadow of a rock the competitive meeting took place. 

  "Castell Toby" was not an item at the event at Ebenezer Chapel it was a name of a house/farm;   Also, it is more than likely the competitors were given seven random Welsh words on the day for the  "Sillebu Saith o Eiriau Cymreig" competition (like the good old fashioned spelling tests we were given in school all those years ago…).   Very sorry there aren’t any actual poems /songs to discover more about.

“Llywyddwyd gan Mr Edward Richards, Castell Toby”;
Presided by Mr Edward Richards, Castell Toby;

“Y llawysgrifen oreu i rai mewn oed, goreu, D. Richards, Castell Toby,   ail (cydradd), Howell Davies a Joseph Lloyd”
The best handwriting for those in age (for the elderly)  –
Best (1st) -  D Richards, Castell Toby;   
(Joint) 2nd – Howell Davies and Joseph Lloyd

According to William Spurrell’s 1853 Welsh Language dictionary: “Sillebu” means “to spell”   (“sillafu”  is now the more common usage of the word) ;

“Sillebu saith o eiriau Cymreig:  goreu, Howell Davies”;
Spelling of seven Welsh words:  best , Howell Davies     

For info only:  Whilst I understand that Edward Richards may not be your relation the following may be of interest as it shows “Castell Toby” as being a place of residence in Llangendeirne.    Edward Richards marriage certificate in 1857 his residence at time of marriage is Castell Dwbi [sic] in Llangendeirne ….   When Edward’s  son,  William, married in 1881 his residence is shown quite clearly as Castell Toby.  Lastly, in 1907 when Edward Richards was buried,  the address given was Castell Toby of Llangendeirne - (a Parish within the hundred of Kidwelly). 

Hope this helps a little and no doubt you know most of it anyway, but just in-case you didn't....

Kind regards,
Alltcafan