JUST like Rome, Abergavenny is surrounded by seven hills, and although any similarity between the “Eternal City” and the “Gateway to Wales” may end there, there’s a lot more to this sleepy market town than meets the eye.

Take the aforementioned hills for example. It would appear one of these stoic “guardians” to the “Gateway to Cymru” can no longer contain its mounting excitement that the National Eisteddfod will be rolling into town this weekend.

The delightful Deri is once again catching more than just a roving rambler’s wandering eye, it has captured the attention of the entire town after deciding to get a “tattoo” on its fair flank of a smiling face and the Welsh word for “welcome” - “Croeso”.

It’s not the first time this chirpy and cheeky Monmouthshire mount has been emblazoned with a smiley face.

This universal symbol of unbounded joy has often popped up periodically on the Deri from time to time in a mysterious fashion, and it usually likes to make a show for the big occasion.

And it doesn’t get much bigger than the National Eisteddfod. So get behind your hill people and join in next week as we welcome thousands of visitors to our little town with a big smiling face and an even bigger “Croeso!”