The Strata Florida Trust begins its programme of courses for 2024 on Friday and Saturday, February 9-10, with an introduction to night photography with Dafydd Wyn Morgan. The trust is restoring Mynachlog Fawr farmhouse and farm buildings which are located next door to Strata Florida, a famous 12th century Cistercian abbey near the village of Pontrhydfendigaid, between Devil’s Bridge and Tregaron, in the Cambrian Mountains. Whilst celebrating Strata Florida’s unique landscape and history, the trust aims to bring new economic, social and cultural life to the area. The trust’s courses programme for 2024 is packed with a range interesting topics and new skills to learn. “Whether you’re looking to try something completely new, or advance a skill, come along and join us,” said Carys Aldous-Hughes, trust director. “We are proud to be working with many local Ceredigion-based artists and experts, including Marian Haf, Dafydd Wyn Morgan, Nathan Goss and Professor Dafydd Johnston, who will be sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors. “We are really excited to be running so many new courses in 2024 and looking forward to welcoming more people to Strata Florida.” Mr Morgan will be repeating his introduction to night photography on March 8 and 9 and November 1 and 2, whilst also focusing on ‘Photographing the Milky Way on September 6 and 7. ‘Maintaining Historic Buildings’ is the topic for Mr Goss on March 7, while Marian returns to run another of her ‘Printing with Packaging’ workshops on April 18 and October 16. Brand new courses this year include ‘Spring foraging’ and ‘Autumn foraging’ with Lucas Harley-Edwards on April 27 and September 28 respectively, ‘Words from the Meadow: Creative writing’ and ‘Writing the Dark: Darkness as Inspiration’ with Jacqueline Yallop on May 18 and November 23 respectively and ‘Cistercians in Wales’ with Profession Jane Burton on June 9 and 10. An archaeology field school ranges from one day to one to four weeks, both residential and non-residential, from June 17 to July 14. Professor Johnston will turn the spotlight on ‘Barddoniaeth Ystrad Fflur’, which will be delivered in Welsh, on October 28. To register and find out more about courses, visit https://www.strataflorida.org.uk or contact the trust at info@strataflorida.org.uk . Nathan Goss leading a course for the Strata Florida Trust.
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Sweaters from the Erfskip Exhibition. An exhibition inspired by woollen fishermen’s sweaters made in the Netherlands a century ago arrives in Mid Wales on February 10 when it opens at Meirion Mill in Dinas Mawddwy, near Machynlleth.
The Erfskip Exhibition will feature wool and associated crafts from Wales, Shetland, the Hebrides, the Aran Islands and elsewhere, archive film and visual arts, young people’s workshop productions, photographs and more. Between February 10 and March 24, the exhibition will be centred on Meirion Mill and Ysgol Bro Idris, Dolgellau, with elements also taking place in Cemaes, Trawsfynydd, Aberystwyth and Caersws. This exhibition story begins in a small coastal village called Moddergat, in the north of Frŷslan, Netherlands. A fishing and farming community began to research and then to re-create the woollen fishermen’s garments that used to be made there a century ago. Farmers bred the sheep and sheared them, others carded, dyed and spun the wool and many people became involved in the knitting. Old photographs and written records were dug up and, in a few years, a successful small community business was developing, making and selling warm, beautiful and natural jumpers modelled on those the Moddergat fisherman set out to sea in more than a century ago. Excited by what they’d achieved, the community then created an exhibition, demonstrating and contextualising the work. It was so popular that it was decided to take exhibition on tour to other shepherd communities, firstly to Wales and then on to other farming and fishing cultures across Western Europe. It has already been to Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, to Shetland Woollen Week and to the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. It’s an exhibition with a difference – in at least three ways. Firstlyl, it’s growing as it goes - wherever it stops, each community adds in elements from its own culture and experiences, so everybody can enjoy and learn from the achievements of others. Secondly, wherever it goes, the hosts use it as a focus for their own interests and concerns, building events, discussions and workshops around it. Lastly, it’s making this journey fuelled only by enthusiasm, energy and excitement. The organisers haven’t asked for a penny of public money to finance its travel, its display costs or anything else. A Mid Wales visitor attraction, Meirion Mill specialises in a range of products, from clothing to soft furnishings and home wares. The business is a member of MWT Cymru, an organisation that represents around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia. Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, new chief executive of the National Library of Wales. A man with experience of developing and delivering ambitious plans has been appointed chief executive of the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, who takes up his new role in the spring, succeeds Professor Pedr ap Llwyd, who has announced his retirement after five years in the role. He was previously director of Welsh language, Welsh culture and external relations at Aberystwyth University and was responsible for the New Life for the Old College project on behalf of university. This current project will transform the Grade 1 listed building into a cultural and creative centre. Having extensive experience of higher education, the Welsh language and culture, Rhodri was chairman of Mudiad Meithrin’s board of directors for six years and a member of the Welsh Language Partnership Council for 10 years. Educated in South Ceredigion, he achieved a degree in History and Welsh History at Aberystwyth University along with a Diploma in Librarianship before completing a Master's Degree and Doctorate at Cardiff University. “The National Library of Wales is undoubtedly one of the nation's leading institutions and it is a huge privilege to be appointed chief executive,” he said. “I am really looking forward to working with the library's staff, trustees and partners and to promoting its mission among the people of Wales and beyond. “Yes, there are challenges to be tackled, the most obvious of which is the financial crunch that affects everyone. But there are also opportunities in promoting our culture in all its rich diversity and in taking the library's incredible expertise and resources to new areas and audiences.” Ashok Ahir, the library’s president, said: “We are proud to appoint Rhodri Llwyd Morgan in this key role and are very much looking forward as a board to working together to continue shaping the library for the future. “He is an individual who understands the library and its national and international importance and is experienced in high-level leadership in a number of areas. His experience as a leader will show the way to our dedicated staff in a period of change for our institution and for the sector.” Whilst there are several other trees of this species growing in selected gardens in the UK, a “coning” is a very rare experience. The exciting discovery was made just before Christmas when the huge tree was undergoing routine maintenance by Herefordshire based tree surgeons, Abortech. “We are absolutely thrilled and very excited about this event,” said Austyn Hallworth, head of marketing and public relations for Hergest Croft Gardens. “This discovery is so horticulturally important and crucial for its survival outside of North America that we have sent seeds to specific centres throughout the UK and Europe in an effort to propagate and cultivate for the future. “The seeds were harvested by Abortech who scaled the tree using ropes. It was only when they reached the top that they realised the fir had coned. “The original Abies Bracteata at Hergest Croft Gardens was planted in Park Wood in the 1930s and was scaled by Dick Banks in the 1960s when he entered the cones in a Royal Horticultural Society competition and won a gold medal. “Sadly, this tree has since died but the three remaining examples are its children, as they were seedlings taken from it.” Hergest Croft Gardens has been owned by five generations of the Banks family who have planted exotic trees and gardened there. The estate has more than 130 ‘Champion Trees’, 5,000 rare trees, plants and shrubs together with National Collections of Maples, Birches and Zelkovas. A popular Welsh Marches tourist attraction, Hergest Croft Gardens is described as "one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in the British Isles". It has six distinct areas - Hergest Croft, the Azalea Garden, the Maple Grove, the Kitchen Garden, the Park and Park Wood. The estate also has the third tallest trees in Great Britain - a Douglas Fir standing at 200 feet and more than 160 years old. The tree register is a charity which collates and records a database of notable trees throughout the UK and Ireland and has the largest database in the world. Hergest Croft Gardens is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent company representing more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, the Welsh Marches, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.
Corris Railway Society members hope that readers will vote for them via www.steamrailway.co.uk/read/hra-awards before the closing date of January 8. The railway has produced a 3- page booklet, illustrated throughout in colour, telling the story of the Falcon locomotive from start to completion. The book costs £3 and can be purchased from the online shop at www.corris.co.uk . Public service trains on Corris Railway resume at Easter but the volunteer workforce will be busy with maintenance and restoration work ahead of the new season. The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways have been shortlisted for two prestigious awards at the upcoming HRA (Heritage Railway Association) 2024 Annual Awards. New double Fairlie locomotive ‘James Spooner’ has been shortlisted for the Coiley Award for Steam Locomotive Engineering and marketing lead, Osian Hughes has been shortlisted for the HRA Award for Rising Stars. The Coiley Award is awarded to a HRA member organisation which has completed an outstanding engineering project in the overhaul, restoration or preservation of a steam locomotive or self-propelled vehicle. The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s newest double Fairlie, ‘James Spooner’ is the fifth new build loco built by Boston Lodge works since 1979. It was officially launched on October 20 last year in a ceremony staged at Blaenau Ffestiniog station. The start of work on the new double Fairlie was announced in early 2016. The outstanding efforts of both staff and volunteers at Boston Lodge workshops, along with significant financial contributions from supporters, have resulted in what is one of the most significant engineering achievements in the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways’ recent history. The newest locomotive pays homage to the original James Spooner of 1872 and several Victorian-era features on the early double Fairlies have been incorporated in the design, including the iconic boiler-mounted bells, stovepipe chimneys, square sand boxes and an open cab. Osian has also been shortlisted in the Rising Star category. Since joining the company in 2020, he has made a significant contribution to changing its business model with his positive attitude and problem solving ability. He has worked hard to learn about the company and the world of railways, taking an active role in Great Little Trains of Wales (GLTW) and with the Wales on Rails project. The project connects GLTW with the community rail partnerships in Wales to encourage leisure rail travel into and around the country. A fluent Welsh speaker, he has worked with the Welsh Language Commission to create a Welsh language development plan for the company so that improvements can be monitored. He recently organised an exhibit of loco and carriages at the National Eisteddfod, manned largely by Welsh speaking staff and volunteers to highlight the importance of the language to the company. The 2024 HRA Awards winners will be announced in Brighton on Saturday, February 10. West Wales distillery In the Welsh Wind has ‘sold out’ of its inaugural release of 30 litre casks of single malt Welsh Origin Whisky. The distillery, which pioneers locally grown Welsh barley and the use of ‘green’ (unkilned) malt, will now focus on the release of its own bottles over the coming years. The 30 litre casks were made available as a means of allowing individuals to own some of what will be the only 100% Welsh single malt whisky available on the market for more than 100 years. In the Welsh Wind is currently the only distillery in Wales which uses only Welsh grown barley in its Welsh Origin Whisky. It’s also the only distillery which completes the entire process, from malting the grain to bottling the matured product, at its site close to the market town of Cardigan, Ceredigion. Purchasers of the 30 litre casks have been able to choose their cask seasoning from a selection of 10 on offer, from traditional red wine and sherry to more experimental such as Tequila. In the Welsh Wind Distillery co-owner and director, Ellen Wakelam said: “To have sold out of our 30 litre casks is a massive achievement for us. We are hugely grateful that so many people have seen the excitement in what we are doing and have trusted us in this way. “We had the idea to sell casks of our new make liquid as a way to allow people to join us on our journey to a ‘Welsh Origin’ whisky. Our whisky sits firmly within the Single Malt Welsh Whisky PGI status that was announced earlier this year. “The processes we’ve developed over the last couple of years ensure all aspects of production take place here in Wales and reduce the amount of energy we use in our own whisky production. “Research with the Open University suggests that the combination of local barley and on site malting gives our whisky a flavour profile unique to south Ceredigion.“ Whisky afficionados keen to try In the Welsh Wind’s first single malt Welsh whisky will need to wait until late spring 2024 when the first limited edition bottle release of experimental whisky is currently anticipated. With the recent upsurge in interest in Welsh whisky, the distillery is expecting demand for its first bottle releases to be high. Details of these limited editions will be available from the distillery website www.inthewelshwind.co.uk and social media channels. Graeme Wigglesworth, Talyllyn Railway’s new engineering manager. The world’s first preserved railway has appointed a new engineering manager. Graeme Wigglesworth takes over the engineering reins at Talyllyn Railway from Chris Smith who has left after five years on the Mid Wales coast to work at Churnet Valley Railway. Graeme spent 20 years in IT before redundancy gave him the opportunity to join the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway as a seasonal driver. He finished that season as operations manager before moving to become engineering Manager at the National Tramway Museum at Crich. He has been a member of the Heritage Railway Association Business Development Committee for several years and vice chair of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society, a DMU driver and driver’s assistant at North Norfolk. The grand doors to Powis Castle and Garden in Welshpool are open for a for a magical ‘Treasured Christmas’ experience. Back are the huge, twinkly trees and lavish decorations with a new addition of enchanting outdoor light projections filling the great courtyard of this iconic Welsh castle. Between December 14 and 23, the castle will stay open until the later time of 7pm for the festive themed lighting display. From dusk in the courtyard, the captivating display will welcome people to the medieval castle, inviting them to stop and watch the projections before ascending the steps. Inside Powis Castle, ‘A Treasured Christmas’ returns until December 31 - closed 25 and 26 - with each State Room display taking inspiration from the treasures that lie within. Visitors will be transported to different parts of the world as they explore beautifully decorated spaces, over-the-top Christmas trees and festive fireplaces. With an Italian twist in the Dining Room, an Elizabethan theme in the Long Gallery and glistening Chinese decorations in the Blue Drawing Roo, which celebrates the rare Chinese lacquer screen, there’s something special to discover in every corner of the castle. Every detail has been carefully thought out and meticulously planned over the last year by a team of dedicated National Trust staff and volunteers. From handmade mice and evergreen garlands to carefully wrapped presents, the magical Christmas display takes months to install. Sarah Johnson, National Trust Cymru’s visitor operations and experience manager at Powis Castle and Garden, said: “A huge amount of planning and careful consideration goes into delivering this spectacle for our visitors. Every year we like to add something new to the experience. “This year, we will be open until 7pm on selected days, so it gives everyone a chance to enjoy the festive displays with friends and family after work. We can’t wait for visitors to step into the courtyard and be met with festive projections lighting up the front of the Castle. Christmas is always a magical time at Powis and we look forward to welcoming everyone back this year.” Throughout December, including on late nights, the Courtyard Café and Shop will be open for visitors. For those looking for a daytime winter walk, the world-famous Baroque Garden stays open all month, excluding December 25 and 26, from 10am to 4pm daily. See statues sparkling in the frost along the Italianate Terraces, admire ancient evergreen yew hedges and look out for 'gardeners notes' which will be dotted around the garden to discover top tips for gardening at this time of year. To plan a festive visit head to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garden No pre-booking is required and normal admission prices apply. ‘A Treasured Christmas’ awaits visitors to Powis Castle from December 14-23.
Copyright National Trust images - Paul Harris The importance of tourism industry collaboration and unity was emphasised by speakers at the annual meeting of an independent organisation that represents around 600 tourism and hospitality business across Mid Wales. The impact of Welsh Government legislation on the industry was one of the main discussion points at a members’ forum which followed the annual meeting of MWT Cymru (Mid Wales Tourism) held at Hafan yr Afon, Newtown on Tuesday. MWT Cymru chairman Rowland Rees-Evans, chief executive Val Hawkins, MBE, and Wales Tourism Alliance chairman Suzy Davies all stressed the need for tourism and hospitality businesses to stay united. Addressing her final annual meeting before retiring next year, Mrs Hawkins outlined MWT Cymru’s role and work, emphasising: “We are here to sell Mid Wales region as a must-visit destination. “We are experienced at working at the interface of the private and public sectors and it’s extremely important that we build on that collaborative approach.” She is keen to expand seasonal and themed offers to attract more visitors during 2024 when MWT Cymru will be rolling out a rewards and incentives project, funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, to support towns and communities in Powys. Mrs Hawkins encouraged businesses to collaborate with MWT Cymru and Visit Wales to attract more international visitors to Mid Wales by offering unique experiences and to focus sharply on customer service and repeat business. “In these uncertain times, the unity and resilience of our business community are more critical than ever,” she added. “Together, we will navigate these challenges and ensure that Mid Wales continues to shine as a leading destination.” Mrs Davies said there were positive signs that the Welsh Government is beginning to listen to the WTA and other industry leaders’ concerns about the cumulative impact of new legislation. The cited examples of how the WTA and others were trying to influence new legislation for the statutory regulation of accommodation providers, a proposed tourism tax and a reduction in the school summer holiday in Wales. “We need to stand together with a united voice and avoid any sense of isolation when representing the tourism industry,” added Mrs Davies, who heads an alliance representing around 6,000 businesses in all sectors of tourism industry across Wales. “What we are doing collectively is working.” Mr Rees-Evans thanked the WTA for its work on behalf of the tourism industry and MWT Cymru staff for keeping members “ahead of the curve” with information about Welsh Government legislation. “Without MWT Cymru, tourism and hospitality businesses in Mid Wales would not have a voice,” he said. “We punch way above our weight in terms of the work we do on behalf of the industry and it’s really important that tourism businesses become members if they want to have an influence.” MWT Cymru re-elected Greg Loweth, business development manager at The Metropole Hotel and Spa, Llandrindod Wells as a Powys trade director. He was joined on the board by Shane Logan, general manager of Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool. MWT Cymru represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality operators across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia. Businesses wishing to join the not for profit, membership organisation are asked to contact Tel: 01654 702653 or email: info@mwtcymru.co.uk . |
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