​Strata Florida Trust reveals diverse courses for 2025

Participants on the printing with packaging course last year.

Courses ranging from photography and printing with packaging to a day dedicated to mining in Ceredigion will be held by The Strata Florida Trust during the first half of this year, with more to be added to the calendar.
 
The trust has created a varied programme with a range of skills taught by Ceredigion-based artists and experts.
 
“We always enjoy meeting people who have never visited us before, as well as welcoming back regulars who attend our courses and events. It’s great working with local artists and experts at Strata Florida to share their passion with everyone,” said Carys, trust director.
 
The prominent Strata Florida Cistercian Abbey is located close to Pontrhydfendigaid, between Devil’s Bridge and Tregaron. The trust now runs a range of courses from the converted buildings of Mynachlog Fawr Farm, which also houses their free to enter exhibition.
 
Courses and events provide opportunities to bring new visitors to Strata Florida and experience its distinctive location, as the trust works to preserve existing buildings of historical significance and create the Strata Florida Centre.
 
​Dafydd Wyn Morgan is a regular expert who shares his love of Strata Florida with photographers. To capture the beauty of the darkness. ‘Night Photography: An Introduction’ will be on the evenings of Friday and Saturday, February  21 and 22.
 
As this course always gets fully booked quickly, due to its successful photographs produced, it’s advised to get in touch soon to avoid disappointment. Dafydd will be running courses on a range of techniques and night sky features throughout the year.
 
Back by popular demand is the fascinating ‘Printing with Packaging’, which delivers stunning results and is completely unique to the participant. All materials are provided by Marian Haf will be at Strata Florida on Wednesday, February 26 for a full day course.
 
Dafydd returns on the evenings of February 28 and March 1 to photograph the Winter Circle/Hexagon, a brand new course. Try and capture the Orion Constellation travelling above the abbey or the Pilgrim, at a site renowned for its low light pollution.
 
It is on the Cambrian Mountains Astro Trail and is less than a mile from a Dark Sky Discovery Site. ​
 
‘Mining in Ceredigion’ is a fascinating topic for a free, one day event on March 19. Join for the day to hear talks from experts David Sables and Ioan Lord, as well as from members of the Metal Mines Programme.
 
There will also be an update on the remedial work that is being done to address the legacy of pollution from the metal mining industry in Ceredigion and a guided walk to the Abbey Consols mine itself. Suitable footwear and outdoor clothing will be required to participate in the walk.
 
Marian returns on May 8 and 9 to bring a different aspect of the ‘Printing with Packaging’ to life. The art of Chine Collé is a technique of gluing colourful, patterned paper or old books or maps with the print. The course is suitable for beginners and seasoned printmakers.
 
Dafydd returns on May 23 and 24 to focus on the art of ‘Photographing the Milky Way arch panorama’. This late night astro adventure in three different locations allows participants to photograph a wide panorama of the Milky Way arch.
 
Further courses and events are planned for later in the year, including the annual archaeology field school from June 19 to July 13, which is open to all, and the second Strata Florida Walking Festival on September 20 and 21.
 
To register and find out more about courses, visit https://www.strataflorida.org.uk/courses-and-events.html or contact the trust at [email protected]. The trust currently has an offer for 2025 of a 25% discount off the third when booking three courses.
 
Strata Florida Trust is restoring Mynachlog Fawr farmhouse and farm buildings, bringing new economic, social and cultural life to the area, whilst also celebrating Strata Florida’s unique landscape and history. 
 
A free ‘Mynachlog Fawr Exhibition’ is currently being held in a building on the site, giving visitors of all ages a chance to explore the social and agricultural history of the house and the local area.
 
The exhibition also contains an interactive Virtual Histories educational experience, which allows visitors to travel back to see a day in the life of Mynachlog Fawr farm in 1947 and the abbey in 1238.
 
Strata Florida Trust is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation that represents around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Ceredigion, Powys and Southern Snowdonia. For more information, visit https://www.mwtcymru.co.uk/ .