The Harp ... continued

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More support for the triple harp was given through competitions for the instrument. In 1866 there was an eisteddfod in Neath, where Thomas Gruffydd was one of the harpists. Lord Llanofer gave an 'extra' prize of £2 'to the one who shall best play on the triple-stringed Harp of Wales, the old Welsh air Triban Gwyr Morganwg.'
From the Cambrian - thanks to Brian Wagstaffe

There was a Grand Harp Contest at Llanofer in 1869, when 'A large party of the nobility and gentry assembled at Llanover Court ... Lady Llanover having invited them to be present at a sort of musical tournament of Welsh harpers.' There was some discontent amongst the nine competitors, two of whom had played the pedal harp, and, as was usual when Lady Llanofer set the rules, were disqualified. John Roberts of Newtown was dis-satisfied with the result of the competition and not even the offer of £3 to himself and £1 to his son - which he refused to accept - could console him.

In 1886 the Royal Welsh Eisteddfod of Wales was held in Caerwys, 'an event which has been looked forward to with no little interest on account of the historic associations of Caerwys with the congress of bards '.
The harp competition was specially arranged by Lady Llanofer 'who is intensely interested in these contests, and they set forth that no one would be qualified to compete who had been a player on the pedal harp the object being to restore to its proper position the national instrument of the principality, and to encourage the cultivation of the pure and simple style in which ancient Welsh music ought to be played.'
'[Lady Llanofer] takes the greatest interest in competitions of this nature, and, indeed, in everything connected with the eisteddfodau.'

Not content with employing a family harper, giving valuable prizes at eisteddfodau and holding competitions for triple harpers, Lady Llanofer also gave scholarships to promising young people.

One of these was Ed. Davies of Taibach, who, in 1884 had to have a trial with Thomas Gruffydd, Lady Llanofer's harper before he was granted a scholarship. He was instructed to be at Llanofer from Saturday evening until Wednesday morning, for Gruffydd to assess him. Should he be given a scholarship, he would need to be 'sober, honest, obedient and respectful'.
Lady Llanofer received a 'very hopeful report' from Gruffydd and Ed Davies was offered a scholarship, to begin on 1st June 1884. The conditions of the scholarship were as follows:
To find himself in Lodging & food - & have his Scholarship renewed every Quarter for One Year, if deserving & well conducted or otherwise dismissal.

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