WALES’ FIRST EVER MARDI GRAS PARADE THROUGH CARDIFF CITY CENTER

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All Four main Welsh Political Parties to Parade with Pride in Cardiff on September 1^st 2012

Organisers list participants

EVENT DATE: SEPTEMBER 1^st 2012 11.30am – 12.30pm

 

'Random Walk' – the debut novel of dancer-turned-writer, Alexandra Claire

Random Walk

It is 2035, and as lives collide, choices have to be made between the real and the virtual worlds.

 “Brave New World meets Big Brother meets The Road – this is a future world both strangely familiar and edgily strange.’ Jon Gower

“Welcome to dystopian Wales! This is a chilling cautionary tale, but one which is consistently warm and tender. A wonderful debut novel.” Rachel Tresize

Random Walk, published by Gomer Press, is the debut novel of dancer-turned-writer Alexandra Claire. Taking her inspiration from a belief in humanity’s ability to ‘do the right thing’, the novel is a keenly-felt tale of the struggle to find courage in the face of despair. 

Following a devastating flood, a city lies isolated from the outside world. Food and resources are scarce and its hungry inhabitants scrape a living in what remains of their former society. Balancing the city on a knife edge, Oswald White, watches their every move and, using a sociological software that was created decades before, he controls the behaviour of the critical mass. 

Elements of Parkour and gaming feature strongly in this fast-paced novel as Remi, a free-running rebel, takes it upon himself to fight back against the constant surveillance of e-Tel. The relationship between eight-year-old Osian and his grandfather depicts the innocence that was washed away during the flood, whilst the compulsory 3D headsets highlight the danger of denying children the freedom to harbour their own thoughts and ideas. As each of the characters struggle against these pressures, what could the arrival of naïve outsider, Lisa, mean for them?

Echoes of the present reverberate throughout the novel and by combining this with popular sub-culture, the author creates a haunting landscape of a once-and-future Wales. 

Alexandra Claire has taken the unusual and innovative approach of producing a trailer to promote her novel and has collaborated with Italian street-artist, Duca, whose illustrations are included in the book.

Born and brought up in Cardiff and an alumnus of London Contemporary Dance School, Claire is a very enthusiastic young author who began to write short stories in 2005 and has been published by Parthian, Honno and the Western Mail.      

A Facebook page has also been set up for the novel – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Random-Walk/116782665051846

Random Walk is available from all good bookshops and

online retailers.

For more information, please visit www.gomer.co.uk

Cycling Cardiff, Interview with Pol van Steelan, Founder of Cardiff Cycle Tours

Pol van Steelan founded and operates Cardiff Cycle Tours, a company which offers bicycle rental and guided bike tours of Cardiff:

AmeriCymru:  Hi, Pol, and many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by AmeriCymru. Why a cycle tour? What are the advantages of exploring Cardiff by pedal power?

Pol:  I looked at cycle tours and their popularity in other cities, like London, Paris and Amsterdam, but also smaller cities like Bruges and Antwerp in Belgium. It gave me a strong indication that there was interest for this type of sightseeing of a city, and then I started looking at Cardiff and the possibilities here. I have been involved in cycling for a long time, and on a personal level really enjoy cycling in and around Cardiff. It was obvious to me that Cardiff was ideal for this kind of activity; it is reasonably flat, traffic is not very heavy, and both Sustrans (a charity for the promotion of cycling) and Cardiff County Council are doing great stuff to make this city very bike-friendly. We also have a green “wedge” which goes all the way into the heart of the city (Bute Park), and great cycle paths along the Taff and the Bay. These factors combined make it an ideal place to view the city by bike.

AmeriCymru:   You currently offer two custom tours. Care to describe them for our readers?

Pol:  Cardiff is in many ways a reflection of the history of Wales itself. Before 1800, this was a small place, where not much was happening. But then came the discovery of coal and the industrial revolution, which made Cardiff grow enormously in a short period of time. The closing of the heavy industry and the move towards a more service led economy reflects itself in the development of the Bay area.  The first tour – the longest one – covers the history of Cardiff, with only a small  touching on the recent developments in the Bay. It is called the Bute tour, as the Marquesses of Bute (2nd and 3rd Marquess) really defined the way that Cardiff was shaped in the nineteenth century. The influence of the arquesses can be seen in many of the landmarks of Cardiff, and were it not for them, one could actually question whether Cardiff would have become the capital of Wales. We see the role the Taff played, the docks which were constructed by the 2nd Marquess of Bute, the renovation of the castle by the 3rd Marquess of Bute, Bute Park, Cathays Park, riding along the Taff, and picking up some older historic places in the centre of the city. The second tour, the Bay tour, gives a great impression of the very recent evelopments that have made Cardiff a truly exciting young and vibrant place to live. We start at the coal history (you can not escape this anyway), but gradually move towards the Bay and the modern international sports village, the marinas, the barrage and the important buildings around the Bay. This is very much a tour of the Bay, and a combination of some history with a great leisurely ride.

AmeriCymru:  What kind of bicycles do you use?

Pol:  I had a couple of criteria to find the right bikes for these trips. Quality, comfortable, good for cycling around a city, low in maintenance and looking great. I finally decided on the Pashley contemporary range, which are made entirely in Britain, and components are British as well – Brooks saddle, Sturmey Archer gears. They have proven to be an absolute top success. Even people who haven’t been on a bike for a while feel really comfortable on it.

AmeriCymru:  Are the tours mostly off road in the city? How bicycle friendly is Cardiff and has it

improved in recent years?

Pol:  As mentioned before, a great effort is going into making Cardiff cycle friendly, and for quite big parts of the city we are making serious progress. We are lucky to have the Taff trail which goes all the way through the city along the river Taff, and there are many plans on the table to connect different areas of Cardiff with that backbone in a cycle friendly way. My tours are mostly off road, and when they are on the road, it is usually on quiet roads. Cardiff is still a small city and apart from some major busy

roads, it is safe and quiet to cycle around. 

AmeriCymru:  Where have the majority of your customers been from so far? Overseas?

Pol:  Interestingly enough, most of my customers are from overseas, and from all parts of the world – Vietnam, Australia, Brazil, Venezuela, US and Canada, Europe – somehow surprisingly I have not tapped into the local market yet, but we are working on that.

AmeriCymru:  Do you operate all year round?

Pol:  We close during the winter period (Dec – Feb) but there might be one or two special tours on the calendar.

AmeriCymru:  Do you have any plans for longer distance bicycle tours outside Cardiff?

Pol:  Not at the moment, I would need to look at the type of bike needed for that, and people who do these kind of activities tend to have their own bikes. However, there are possibilities which will be explored to go just outside Cardiff, eg Caerphilly and it’s famous medieval castle can be reached by bike traffic free and without much climbing.

AmeriCymru:  Any final message for the members and readers of AmeriCymru?

Pol:  When you come and want to discover this fascinating city, do it by bike, it’s  environmentally friendly, it makes sense, and it’s a great way to explore a city like Cardiff. Come on a guided bike tour with Cardiff Cycle Tours !

An Interview with Gwenno Dafydd - Welsh Actress, Singer, Writer and Broadcaster

In the run up to this years Saint David's Day Parade AmeriCymru spoke to Gwenno Dafydd Welsh Actress, Singer, Writer and Broadcaster and former Partnership Consultant and Representative at NSDDP. Gwenno also co- wrote the official Saint David's Day song Cenwch y Clychau i Dewi'.

AmeriCymru: Hi Gwenno and many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by AmeriCymru. You have been involved in the organization of the Annual St. David's Day Parade for some years now. Care to explain for our readers how you became involved in this project?

Gwenno: I wasn't in the very first National Saint David's Day Parade (NSDDP) in 2004 which was quite a small event of a couple of hundred attendees and little publicity. I did hear about it afterwards and decided as a very patriotic Welsh woman that I had to be there the next year, which I was.

AmeriCymru: You also wrote the official St David's Day Parade song 'Cenwch y Clychau i Dewi'. Care to tell us a little more about the song and in particular where readers can go to hear it online or purchase sheet music?

Gwenno: In the 2005 NSDDP I was taking part and ringing one of the six bells (reproductions) of Saint David's bells that had been made for the occasion and suddenly, as we were just approaching Cardiff Castle at the tope end of Queen Street, I felt as if I’d been struck by a bolt of lightning (literally!!!) I just had this feeling that I had to create a song, an anthem that could be sung by children, adults, brass bands and choirs.

I got really excited about this idea but didn’t say anything to anyone. I just went away and wrote a verse and a chorus in both Welsh and English and took it to my song-writing partner at the time, Heulwen Thomas, a peripatetic violin teacher and told her what I had in mind. She wrote the music, I took it to the NSDDP Committee and in the 2006 Parade we performed the song in front of the National Museum of Wales at the end of the Parade.

The NSDDP Committee were delighted with the response we had with the song and asked if it could be sung the following year. They were trying to find ways of engaging schools and children in the parade and as I had worked as a supply teacher for fifteen years and also did a lot of Directing Theatre in Education, they invited me on the Committee as the Voluntary Schools Liaison Officer and since 2006 I have been responsible for engaging the schools and their pupils.

I have also been a professional broadcaster and performer for the last thirty years and I saw a way of using the song which I had co-written, as a way of levering a lot of publicity in the media which it did. When the children came on board was the year the parade grew phenomenally from a few hundred to well over 1,500. This growth meant that we had to ask for help from Cardiff City Council and the National Assembly for Wales as we were all volunteers. And it was all becoming too much for us as volunteers to organise.

In November 2009 I resigned from the NSDDP Committee as I was finding that the work to promote, lobby for additional funding, engaging interest and organising was taking over my own self-employed life so much so that I wasn’t able to earn a living.

However, last year I was approached by Cardiff City Council and employed to bring the children onboard. There were at least 900 schoolchildren present and probably another 600 including parents and friends. I also presented the Council with a very comprehensive report which would enable them to organise the children’s participation from now on from within their own Education Department.

Here are details and photographs of some of these events. You can also hear the youtube of me singing the song which I recorded as part of the Songs of our Nation project last year.www.gwennodafydd.co.uk/4html

The song made history by being the very first Welsh medium song to be sold as a download from a website and it was launched by World famous singer Bryn Terfel and Tim Rhys Evans Choir Master of Only Men Aloud, award winning choir. There are four versions of the song available – piano and voice, SATB, (Mixed Voice Choir) male voice and female voice. http://www.ylolfa.com/dangos.php?ISBN=9781847711342

AmeriCymru: You were also involved with the design of the 'Pembrokeshire Banner'. Can you tell us more?

Gwenno: Whilst I was still on the NSDDP Committee we were looking for ways to engage more people and one of our members had seen that the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Birmingham had a big focus on County participation. Another of the Committee had talked about getting the old Colliery Lodge Banners involved so I came up with an idea of having County Banners for every Welsh County so that people could walk behind their County Banner every Saint David’s Day and even if they didn’t come to Cardiff for the NSDDP there would be something that would link them to the ‘Mother’ parade in Cardiff. The banner is based on the words and images of some of the lyrics ain the song and also symbols of Saint David’s Cathedral. It seems fitting that the first County Banner should come from Pembrokeshire, spiritual home of our Nation’s Patron Saint and also where I grew up. The full story about the banner and beautiful and inspiring images can be found here: http://www.fishguardartssociety.org.uk/ThePembrokeshireBanner.html

The Banner is now permanently on display in Saint David’s Cathedral and was blessed by The Right Reverend Wyn Evans, Bishop of Saint David’s in a Homecoming Ceremony attended by Fishguard Choir, Goodwick Brass Band, Civil Dignitaries, the makers and their friends and families last February.

Although the National Saint David’s Day Parade happens in Cardiff every year, the only thing that is really mobile about the parade is the song and banners which can be re-created ‘anywhere in the world’ by schools, Welsh ex-patriot groups, choirs and chapels.

I was recently invited to become an Ambassador for Cardiff in recognition of all the voluntary work I have done in developing Saint David’s Day Celebrations in Wales and further afield. I would like to develop this role long term to becoming the Saint David’s Day Ambassador for Wales working towards developing world-wide celebrations of our Nation’s Patron Saint, Dewi Sant

AmeriCymru: Do you think March 1st should be, or ever will be , a national holiday in Wales?

Gwenno: Back in the sixties all Welsh schools had a half day for Saint David’s Day with the Eisteddfod in the morning and the afternoon free. I think this would be a good compromise so that people would be able to go along to the Parade in the afternoon.

Ben Bore (Rhys) / Rhys Wynne
License CC Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5

AmeriCymru: OK...prediction time. How many people are going to turn out for the parade this year and what's the weather going to be like?

Gwenno: No idea how many people will be there this year. I do hope it will be successful as a huge amount of people’s hard work has gone into it over the last few years and it would be very sad for those efforts to have been wasted. I am no longer involved in the practical organisation as it was just too time consuming and I gave several years service duing which time it grew from a few hundred to many many thousands so I feel I have made my contribution on one level. I will continue to develop my own projects including the two Facebook groups I have set upand am focussing my efforts on developing the idea

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?

Gwenno: Yes – use the two Facebook groups I have set up ‘Celebrate Saint David’s Day’ and ‘National Saint David’s Day Parade’ to let others know how you intend to celebrate Saint David’s Day. Get a copy of the song and sing it, make a banner either based on the Pembrokeshire Banner or on your own design, let’s grow these celebrations world-wide and make all those who came originally from this tiny little speck of a Nation realise that it is a very special place and we need to make a big noise about it. Come here on holiday, go and visit the Pembrokeshire Banner in Saint David’s Cathedral and remind yourself what a privilege it was for you to have Welsh blood coursing through your veins.

Interview by Ceri Shaw Email

A Review of Jon Gower's 'Uncharted'

This book surprised and delighted me in equal measure. At one point author Jon Gower observes that:-"The world of coincidence is uncharted mystery". This might be understood as the books theme as it charts coincidental occurrences in Buenos Aries, Oakland Bay and Cardiff bound together, albeit tentatively, by the onward progress of a paper boat. The boat, made of newspaper, is home to the mortal remains of Flavia, a former resident of Buenos Aries whose 'undead' body travels the globe inspiring scientific speculation and religious devotion in its wake.


In a recent interview with AmeriCymru Jon described the book in these terms:- "A friend said that it "mythologizes an Argentine woman's journey around the world" and that pretty much sums it up. The woman, Flavia, is in a sort of purgatory, neither alive nor dead. Her story becomes a myth which becomes a religion, a case of global Chinese whispers." Her condition is in some way a consequence of and a testament to the undying love between her and her former, still earthbound, husband Horacio with whom she used to dance the tango in the back streets of Buenos Aries.

In the course of her journey she touches a great many lives and creates a profound impression but it should not be thought that the book is without humour. In fact the final section, set in Cardiff is suffused with surreal humour and bizarre incident. If you'll forgive a rather long quote, here is Jon's description of the passing of 'Bloomers' , a famous incident in the history of Caroline Street:-

"Half way along Caroline there used to be a famous club called Bloomers but someone attacked it with a petrol bomb, burned it to the ground. In the Echo the day after the conflagration the stalwart cartoonist, Gren, had captured the moment in an exquisite image. Caroline Street with a gaping hole like a tooth extraction: above it, dwarfing all the buildings, is an atomic mushroom cloud and there are two men flying through the air above the caption 'Now that's what I call a curry.' There is much more in this vein as the seemier side of Cardiff's nightlife and it's culture of heavy drinking and toxic takeaways are mercilessly ( and humorously ) exposed.

If you were planning to give someone a book for Christmas and were looking for something 'different', then look no further. 'Uncharted' has everything:- pathos, humour and a pace that makes it 'unputdownable'. The book is , unfortunately, ineligible for a Wales Book of the Year Award in 2011 because Jon is on the judges panel. It surely would have been a strong contender for first place.

Matthew Rhys's first book - Patagonia

Patagonia has long intrigued many an intrepid traveller, particularly the Welsh, who flock to this area of South America to trace the footsteps of their ancestors, founders of a Welsh speaking colony in the area back in 1865, which still survives to this day.

Hollywood actor and Welshman Matthew Rhys, is one such traveller. Patagonia is a photographic account of his month-long journey on horseback from the Atlantic to the Andes. His co-riders were all descendants of the 30 Welsh-speakers who had made the same gruelling journey 125 years ago.

Evocative black-and-white photography features throughout, along with extended captions for each of the 90 images. Penned by Matthew Rhys, these provide the reader with first-hand insight into the demands of the trek and an overview of the lives of his fellow travellers.

The author’s introduction will also provide the journey’s historical context, and will remind the reader of the pioneering courage of those Welshmen who originally established the Welsh colony in Patagonia.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Title: PATAGONIA ISBN: 9781848511972

Author: Matthew Rhys Price: £19.99

Category: Travel / Photography Format: 200mmx300mm, hb, 120pp

Publication date: 30^th October 2010

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

• Matthew Rhys hails from Cardiff but currently lives in Los Angeles.
• He is most well known for his role in hit American TV series Brothers and Sisters which attracts approx. 10 million viewers per episode.
• He is a familiar face worldwide following his critically acclaimed portrayal of Dylan Thomas in 2008 Hollywood film The Edge of Love.

AVAILABLE FROM: Gardners Books Ltd, 1 Whittle Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN23 6QH

Tel: 01323 521777 Fax: 01323 521666 E-mail: custcare@gardners.com

A Short History of Castell Coch

Castell Coch (the Red Castle) sits proudly on the side of a hill overlooking North Cardiff and the valley that carries the River Taff.

Its fairytale appearance belies the history that the building contains in its stones. There has been a fortress on the site since the end of the 11th century when an earth and timber motte castle was built there by Norman lords to defend their land. Both Ifor Bach and Gruffud ap Rhys are two Welsh rulers of Senghennydd whose names are linked to the castle.

During the 13th century, the de Clare family, the Norman lords of Glamorgan made great gains against the Welsh in the upland regions of their disputed territory. It was during this time that it is thought the castle was reconstructed into a stone one, with a small oval courtyard with three circular towers. It was probably Gilbert de Clare (the builder of Caerphilly Castle) who added the towers in the 1280s. It is the spur buttresses at the base of the round towers that suggest it was of Norman design, but it seems that the castle was abandoned in 1316 after Llewellyn Bren led an army against the de Clares in 1316. It was never repaired and the castle fell into ruin.

By 1871, like many other castles in Wales, the castle was an overgrown ruin. Crucially however, it happened to be owned by John Crichton-Stuart, the 3rd Marquess of Bute - one of the richest men in the world. The Marquess was a landed aristocrat and an industrial magnate, owing a lot of this wealth from his father who had risked a long-term strategy in building Cardiff into one of the busiest coal-exporting ports in the world. Lord Bute had a great interest in religion, medievalism, the occult, and architecture. He had already enlisted the services of William Burges to remodel Cardiff Castle in his own unique style of gothic fantasy.  

In 1872, Bute began his project of Castle Coch by asking Burges to look into the possibility of restoring the castle. Burges produced the report and work began in 1875. The castle was to be transformed into a summer home for the Marquess. The restoration was a complete one, but Burges was not to see the finished article. He died in 1881, ten years before completion of the work. His detailed drawings of the interiors allowed his team of craftsmen to complete the task without him. It took sixteen years for the castle to be transformed into the building we know and recognise today.


The castle may have an authentic medieval look to the exterior but the interiors are Victorian fantasy, richly decorated and highly imaginative. After a visit to Castell Coch, it is worth visiting nearby Cardiff Castle to see the ultimate example of the collaboration between Lord Bute and William Burges. At the time of completion, the castle represented a medieval structure, but it did have all the modern conveniences of its time - flushing toilets, central heating and a working kitchen made it habitable. Burges also left behind some justifications for his use of the conical towers, which some historians question for authenticity. Burges wanted them simply for visual effect.   

The Keep Tower, the Well Tower and the Kitchen Tower incorporate a series of apartments; of which the main sequence, the Castellan's Rooms, lie within the Keep. The Hall, the Drawing Room, Lord Bute's Bedroom and Lady Bute's bedroom comprise a suite of rooms that exemplify the High Victorian Gothic style in 19th century Britain. However some of the poorer interior decorations can be attributed to work carried out after Burges' early death in 1881. Some of the painted decoration is based on patterns found in Welsh castles. The Drawing Room and Lady Bute's bedroom have ceilings and wall paintings that are almost equal to the best achieved at Cardiff Castle.

The decoration and even the smallest details - such as the door handles and the window latches were carefully considered. Even some of the walls feature paintings of various animals, including birds, monkeys and squirrels, as well as mythological beings.

The uppermost story of the Keep Tower holds Lady Bute's Bedroom, painted in brilliant colours with gilt and mirrors lighting up the double-domed chamber.  Apart from the large bed, the furniture in Lady Bute's Room is simplistic and uncomfortable - a result of Burges determination to keep true to the medieval character of the castle.

In 1950, the 5th Marquess of Bute placed the Castle in the care of the Ministry of Works. It is now administered by CADW on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales.

Castell Coch has made numerous appearances in TV and film productions. Drivers can also spot the magical- looking castle from the M4 as they pass the Coryton Interchange.

by Patric Morgan

Was This The Site of A Massacre?

Situated near the bottom of the Wenallt lies what is probably the biggest historical monument in Rhiwbina today. The Twmpath is a late 11^th century Norman motte and is shrouded in legend and lore. Historically, the Twmpath's enduring story centres around Iestyn ap Gwrgant then King of Glamorgan, and his downfall.  

Towards the latter part of the 11th century, a group of Normans, led by Robert fitz Hamo, Earl of Gloucester, were sent by William I to suppress the Welsh in the South Wales lowlands. Legend has it that fitz Hamo sought the help of a Norman knight by the name of Eynion. His job was to forge a false alliance with Iestyn ap Gwrgant. The apparent aim of this alliance was to drive the Normans back towards Bristol and the West Country.  

At Rhiwbina, Iestyn’s and Eynion’s armies entered into battle with the Norman army in a field not far from the present day Butcher’s Arms pub. However, no sooner had battle commenced than Eynion withdrew his men and marched to Swansea. Iestyn’s army were left to defend for themselves but were hopelessly outnumbered. The dead were piled in one great mound and covered with mud. One version of the story tells that Iestyn was placed on his horse and buried upright in the mound that is known as the Twmpath. The battle was so fierce that the local stream ran red with blood. To this day, it’s known as Nant y Weadlydd or Bloody Brook. 

  

The Twmpath would have commanded good views of the area in its day. It can be found off Wenallt Road, a hundred yards or so south of the bridge crossing the M4, and a hundred yards or so West of Wenallt Road. You can still see the ditch around the Twmpath, but there are no visible signs of any other buildings.

The bailey of the Twmpath still stands a impressive 30 feet high, although it is somewhat overgrown these days.  

by Patric Morgan

The Glamorganshire Canal

The once mighty Glamorganshire Canal now exists mostly in history books. Steve Strange writing for Living Magazines charts the rise and fall of the canal’s prominence, and explains where locals can go to catch up with our past .

GFDL Former tunnel of the Glamorganshire Canal
at Pontypridd, behind the Bunch of Grapes pub.
Photo taken by User:Varitek July 2005)

In 1794 a canal was opened between Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil over the mountains of South Wales. This was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World at the time. Within 24.5 miles, it rose to a height of 300 metres, requiring 49 locks. When the canal was opened in 1794, Cardiff had a population of just 4000. In 1798 the canal was extended one mile seawards and included a sea lock. The total cost to build the canal was £103,600. The hills and valleys surrounding Merthyr were rich with limestone, iron ore and coal. The canal predominantly followed the route of the river Taff and was able to carry these raw materials and finished goods from the four Merthyr ironworks far more cheaply and quickly than previous mule trains. Merthyr was the largest town in Wales in 1850. It was twice the size of its nearest rival Swansea, and greater than the combined populations of Swansea and Cardiff. Merthyr’s growth was brought about by the expansion of the iron industry- it was the industrial heart of Wales.

The four great ironworks – Dowlais, Penydarren, Plymouth and Cyfartha were able to    transport their finished iron on a single barge nine feet wide and 60 feet long. 24 tons of iron could be towed by one horse, needing only one man and a boy to run it efficiently. Three round trips to Cardiff could be completed in a fortnight. Previously this tonnage required 48 horses, 12 men and 12 boys and would take significantly longer.

Despite the railway boom of the 1840s and the opening of the Bute docks in Cardiff, the canal continued to flourish. The Industrial Revolution, especially the coal boom in South Wales, saw unprecedented growth of trade on the canal. In 1858 at its economic peak the canal transported 466,983 tons of coal. Within a decade this had slowed considerably. The canal was a victim of its own success. The trade boom and subsequent congestion was the primary cause of its decline.

Richard Crawshay, owner of the Cyfartha Ironworks, had the canal built to his ironworks in Merthyr. He then vigorously opposed all efforts by the Hills, Guests and Homfreys – owners of the other Merthyr ironworks on the eastern side of the valley – to extend the canal, or allow feeders to be built. This eventually led to the setting up of the Taff Vale Railway Company by the dissident ironmasters to transport their wares to Cardiff. By 1888 the canal was owned by Lord Bute. Lord Bute planned to use much of the canal on which to build a railway. Its economic life was effectively over, although sand dredgers and timber floats carried on using parts of the canal until 1942.

Very little remains of the canal in Cardiff today. The exception is the Glamorganshire Canal Nature Reserve at Coryton, adjacent to junction 32 of the M4 some five miles from Cardiff Docks. The one kilometre stretch of the canal was lovingly restored in the 1960s. The restored canal section is the new jewel in the Forest Farm Country Park. The Country Park was established in 1992 by the Countryside Council for Wales. The Park contains a designated local nature reserve, a site of Special Scientific Interest (including the restored canal section) and an adjacent semi natural woodland, known as Longwood. The Nature Reserve is a popular location for ramblers, ornithologists, dog walkers and joggers. The spectacular kingfishers glimpsed frequently along the canal are perhaps the most enchanting of all the wildlife to be seen. Little grebe, dippers, snipe and water rail are among the varied birdlife to be found here. Along this beautiful and tranquil stretch of water can be seen the unique iron bridge, built here in 1851. It is unique because one turret is rounded, the other square. Sunny Bank River Bridge enabled the ropes from horse drawn barges to pass over the bridge without snagging. The bridge was built to allow overflow from the canal to pass into the Melingriffith feeder supplying the nearby iron works of the same name.

Remnants of the canal can be traced throughout Cardiff today, although only this mile long   section at Coryton remains intact. The popular Taff Trail cycle path, running alongside the River Taff as the canal once did, is now an energetic cycle route from Cardiff Bay to Brecon. The Taff Trail follows the old canal route in many places along its 27 mile length. The Taff, which once flowed black with coal, is now clean and rich in wildlife, including salmon and trout. The return of the fish attracts herons and cormorants to feed along the river banks.

The Glamorganshire Canal is widely credited as being the catalyst that sparked the huge growth of the City of Cardiff. This growth continues at pace today. Cardiff is officially Europe’s fastest growing capital city. Its population now dwarfs that of both Merthyr and Swansea.

The restored section of the Glamorganshire Canal provides a wonderful example of what can be salvaged from industrial decay. The canal lock and unique bridge are a fascinating reminder of our recent past and rich industrial heritage. The canal contains an abundance of wildlife and is a superb advert for the current interest in restoring sections of long derelict canals. How the Cardiff Bay Development Company must regret the filling in of sections of the Glamorganshire Canal in the 1960s. The restored waterway would have been the ideal linking artery from the city centre to the now thriving Cardiff Bay.

Ten Questions With Andy Keeling of WelshSteel

CERI: Can you tell us a little about Welsh Steel, what is it's mission? ANDY: Having been in the music business professionally for thirty years, twenty years in the US, I realized hardly anyone knows what or where or who is in wales. Being a Welshman in the US, I wanted to introduce our talents to the world. CERI: Do you have any immediate plans for signings, tours, etc? ANDY: Yes, absolutely. Between June 2nd and 17th, I'll be in the UK, having industry meetings with music professionals and through my connections with AmeriCymru, I realized I could access musical information and contacts that were previously unavailable to me. I have bands singed in the US and bands coming on tour to the UK and Europe this year, and I thought by coming home to Wales for a few days it would be a good opportunity to view some of the recommended talent in the area. There's so much opportunity in the US for touring and promoting that I want to represent my home country, Wales, sign the best few bands in certain genre categories of music with a view to recording contracts and bringing them to the US to tour for next year. CERI: I understand that you're holding an audition in Cardiff in June? Care to tell us where and when that will be? ANDY: Yep. There'll be an audition on the 12th of June at the MusicBox in Penarth Rd ,Cardiff between 10 and 6. CERI: What kind of bands are you looking for? ANDY: I really don't care about genre of music, age or race. All I care about is quality. CERI: How should bands and musicians get an audition? ANDY: Join Americymru and Welsh Steel, put up some audio files, performance videos, anything that will show me what you do and although it's last minute, we can contact you. We'll contact the bands for this particular audition, even though it's last minute, don't think we're going to overlook you, there might still be an opportunity to meet and greet, you can give me material for the next set of auditions and we can keep in contact on the networks. CERI: What's your background in the music industry? ANDY: I started really young, my first show on stage was with Ronny Corbett and Clodagh Rogers at age five. My local church choral group were asked to sing and my mother claims I snatched the microphone from Ronnie Corbett's hand and decided to sing a locally popular hit, Jimmy Osmond's "Long Haired Lover From Liverpool," to the delight and amazement of the audience, the pit orchestra and especially Ronny Corbett! Since then, my career's been downhill! No, seriously, music school, classically-trained trumpet player and singer, followed by twenty years of prostitution in the pop business left me in Brazil, Jamaica, subsequently Miami, Florida playing pop music to the masses and being dropped by various labels due to the general public downloading free music, which took all the money out of record labels, subsequently led to the fall of the establishment, so I retired from music. A few years ago I realized a giant hole in my soul by not being involved in the music industry and decided to represent my fellow country men and musicians by managing promoting and touring on their behalf with my experience as the foundation on which to help them succeed. for twelve years straight playing almost 300 shows a year, managing, booking, preforming, scheduling, negotiating contracts and roadying my band and others, I've done it all. CERI: What do you listen to, who do you like? ANDY: Anything, really, as long as it's good. CERI: What's the music scene in Portland like? ANDY: Portland is small city of a bit over 500,000, of which all are musicians or it seems like that! There are over 150 independent venues that play music every night, so it's music, music, music, of all kinds, all the time. People here like experimentation, they like fusion, they're willing to try anything and they're pretty supportive, it's very creative. After retiring professionally from performing in 1999, I moved to Portland because I found it to be one of the most exciting artistic communities I'd ever visited and now I'm set, immersed in talent and opportunities with local artists who have little further guidance to go beyond their semi-local, national scene. I feel very privileged to be able to represent quality artists in this area and will endeavour to help them in any way possible, via recording or promotion or touring, so they can achieve their creative goals. CERI: Care to tell us a bit about where you're from? ANDY: I was born in Blaina, both pairs of my grandparents lived in Bryn Mawr and I spent a lot of time there as a child. I moved to Pontypool as a youngster to go to school. My father worked in Panteg steel works, then he went to Cardiff College to study PE and Special Education, which then dragged me around the country for ten years whilst he opened the (then) new emerging special school system. During this period, I was stuydying music and arts heavily and was privileged to grow up in areas where music was exploding in the UK in the '80s. My grandmother still lives in Bryn Mawr. Portland is the closest town I've ever seen that reminds me of home: the weather, everything's green and lush, it's a really creative place and it's that bit anti-establishment, "People's Republic of Portland," and all. CERI: Do you miss home? Hiraeth and all that? ANDY: Of course I miss home. (ED: At this point in our interview, Andy broke down crying, crushing a leek and an unopened can of Brains SA to his chest and singing 'Green, Green Grass...':) Heads of the Valley is always in my heart. CERI: Any final message to our readers and the members of Welsh Steel and AmeriCymru? ANDY: Can't wait to meet some of you! Probably won't get to meet you all this this time but never give up, keep the faith and Cymru Am Byth! Interview by Ceri Shaw Email

The Latest From Cymuned - Supporters Email

( This is not an official press release but rather the personal observations of a Cymuned supporter ) Cardiff, the Assembly and YouGov Firstly, a word of cheer: Quiet campaigning by individuals works! The story comes from Cardiff, where Coop have been working to freshen the image of their Llandaf shop. This involved, amongst other things, getting rid of the old bilingual signs and replacing them with "easier to read" English-only versions. But, in the words of the shop manager, she received a "strong reaction" from shop customers that convinced her to return to bilingual signage. Yes, it is awful that we still have to "campaign" in the 21st century for something as basic as recognition for the language, but this story shows that it is possible to change some things by quiet words in the right ears! Which brings me neatly to an appeal for contributions! The Assembly's Heritage Department are starting the process of creating a new language strategy to replace "Iaith pawb" - the current blueprint for a bilingual Wales. They would like to hear the ideas and views of the public and relevant organisations to help them in their work. You may very well have your own ideas about the way forward to securing the Welsh's place as a vibrant community language, so now is the time for you to make them known in a way that can make a real difference. Perhaps you remember an earlier email telling of a language Board conference where one recommendation was to encourage public bodies in the 'Fro' to use Welsh as their internal language - This shows that the ideas of CyngorNi are already being considered. Its time for us to push our message to the Assembly in the most powerful way available- through the submissions of the electorate and others that love the country. Please contribute, so that we can develop a strategy that will turn the vision in Iaith Pawb of: "a truly bilingual Wales ...a country where people can choose to live their lives through the medium of either or both Welsh or English..." into reality. The consultation closes on the 29th January. Contributions by post to: The Welsh Language Unit, Welsh Assembly Government Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ Online at cymru.gov.uk/topics/welshlanguage Or by e-mail to cymraeg@cymru.gsi.gov.uk. It was interesting to see the YouGov opinion poll during the month, giving details of voting intentions in a general election and Assembly referendum. At the tail-end of the poll there was a question regarding the usage of Welsh showing that 42% of the population of Wales have some amount of Welsh (18% were fluent). This is excellent news until you read the following question. Even in the North, and the "West and Central" regions, less than 30% of the Welsh speakers used their Welsh "all or most of the time" in their own homes. Now, predictions of disaster cannot be made as a result of one poll, especially when the question was just for sorting statistics rather than an important element of the poll, but I think that supporters of the Welsh language are justified in worrying about this statistic. However important a new Welsh Language Act may be, I'm not sure that people who don't use Welsh in their own homes are going to be all that enthusiastic about a right to use Welsh in a bank or with a mobile phone company. Then again, promoting Welsh as the language of work amongst public bodies in the 'Fro Gymraeg' would certainly ease the pressures on people to use English on every occasion. Until next month! Iestyn * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dewi Sant told us to "Do the little things." To see what he had in mind, have a quick look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/dewisant * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Are you a dreamer or a doer? Cymuned can't survive without YOUR help. Have a look at: www.cymuned.net/ymlaen/ourfuture to hear how to make things change

ONE MAN ALOUD! – Only Men Aloud Search For A New Star To Join Their World Famous Choir

On Saturday the 10th October 2009 Only Men Aloud, the winners of BBC One’s ‘Last Choir Standing’, will stage their own auditions in search of one lucky boy to become the newest member of the prestigious Welsh choir. They are hoping to find an incredible talent and the lucky winner will have the chance to join them on their hugely anticipated Christmas 2009 tour as well as any TV and Radio appearances promoting their new album ‘Band of Brothers’ which is released on October 12th. Tim Rhys-Evans, MD of OMA, said of the search, “We’re looking for someone with much more than just an incredible voice - someone who is passionate about singing and wants to have fun while doing it. We’ve had the most incredible year already, but the person who fits the bill will be able to come on the rest of the journey with us.” The elected singer will be part of the choir as they continue to go from strength to strength and embark on the next stage of the remarkable adventure which has seen their meteoric rise to success since winning the BBC1 prime-time Saturday night show last year. Highlights for the choir have included TV shows, two US tours and meeting a host of celebrities - if the last year is anything to go by, a host of incredible, life changing experiences await the newest member of Only Men Aloud! Auditions will be held at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff on Saturday 10th October. For more details and to book an audition and be in with a chance, please email admin@onlymenaloud.com

PRESS RELEASE - DATGANIAD I’R WASG Unique Welsh Mass Launches Series of St. John Roberts Commemorative Events

Unique Welsh Mass launches series of St. John Roberts commemorative events.

St. Teilo’s Church welcomes a unique pilgrimage.

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas looks forward to “an important event in Wales’ historical and religious calendar”

On Saturday, April 25th, St. Teilo’s Church, St. Fagans will play host to a very different Mass; for the first time ever, a Welsh language Mass will take place in this historic church. All seats have already been taken for the Mass, which is to be the first in a series of events scheduled to take place across Wales to celebrate the 400th anniversary of St. John Roberts of Trawsfynydd’s martyrdom.

The event organiser, Sue Roberts who is Vice-Chairman of Cylch Catholig (Catholic Circle) said: “The response has been incredible. We could have easily filled the church three times over and the fact that this is the first Welsh Catholic Mass to be held in this church for almost five hundred years, makes this a truly unique occasion.”

St. John Roberts is an important Welsh historic and religious figure and is even more celebrated in France and Spain, where many commemorative celebrations will be held in 2010. Born at Rhiw Goch farm, Trawsfynydd, he was educated at Cymer Abbey, near Dolgellau, he then went on to Oxford to study Law before moving to France where he converted to Catholicism. Following his time in France, he moved to Valladolid, Spain where he trained as a Priest, he then returned to London to care for the poor but was exiled many times by the anti-catholic authorities before eventually being sentenced to death in Tyburn on December 10th, 1610. He was canonised by Pope Paul VI in 1970. (See image attached of St. John Roberts).

One of the St. John Roberts anniversary celebration’s co-organisers, Keith O’Brien from the Llys Ednowain Heritage Centre in Trawsfynydd, a centre that documents the history of St. John Roberts and Hedd Wyn, said that the Mass “is a really great way to launch the commemorative celebrations in Wales, while ensuring that the celebrations will be as impressive in the Saint’s native country as on the continent.”

The celebrations will continue in 2010 with a Mass in the ruins of Cymer Abbey, Dolgellau on June 6th, 2010. Following this there will be a series of performances of the ‘St. John Roberts Requiem’ by Brian Hughes, with the part of the saint played by operatic tenor Rhys Meirion with the accompaniment of choirs and orchestra. The Requiem will be performed in six cathedrals across Wales. In July 2010 there will be a pilgrimage from Rhiw Goch to Tyburn, with the highlight being a multi-faith service at Westminster Cathedral attended by the Heads of all Churches.

This will be the first time ever for a Welsh Mass to be conducted in St. Teilo’s Church, that was moved from Pontarddulais and re-built at the Museum of Welsh Life in St. Fagans two years ago. The Archbishop of Cardiff; Peter Smith, the Bishop of Wrexham; Edwin Regan and the former Bishop of Menevia; Daniel Mullins, will be conducting the service along with a number of Welsh priests. Also giving readings in the Mass will be pupils from the Catholic Schools of South Wales. (See image attached of St. Teilo’s Church - please credit Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales.)

The colourful ceremony, will start at 2pm with a procession from the Workmen’s Institute to St. Teilo’s Church, led by the Archbishop, bishops and priests, all dressed in their ceremonial robes with the altar boys carrying the cross and incense.

Archbishop Peter Smith said of the event: “I am extremely glad that we are able to draw on old Welsh traditions and celebrate a Welsh Catholic Mass in this fantastic church for the first time since the Protestant Reformation. The fact that the Mass will be conducted in Welsh shows that the Church plays an active role in modern Welsh life. I would also like to extend an invitation to the public to come and watch the colourful procession that will take place prior to the Mass.”

Another exciting element of the celebration will be the use of the Dowlais Chalice, which dates from the same period as St John Roberts. In addition, a 100 year old replica of the Cymer Abbey Chalice and Paten, which is the abbey where St John Roberts received his early education, will be on display on the altar (kindly on loan from the National Museum of Wales).

St. Teilo’s Church will be full to the rafters with 150 guests attending. Bishop Edwin Regan of Wrexham said: “I’m very excited that people from all over Wales will be taking part in the Mass and it’s a pleasure to have contributions from Welsh learners from the Catholic Schools of South Wales. Our roots as Welsh Catholics lie in St Teilo’s and the children can be inspired by this for the future. It’s fantastic to see this church restored to its former glory and I can’t think of a better way to launch a year of celebrating Wales’ martyrs than with this Mass.”

Amongst the distinguished guests will be Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas: “I’m looking forward to the Mass as well as all the performances taking place over the next year that will draw attention to an important event in Wales’ historical and religious calendar”.

Press and Media Enquiries

For more information please contact: Lydia Jones at Mr Producer

Tel: 02920 916 667

Email: lydia@mrproducer.co.uk

Mass at St. Teilo’s Church, Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagans: General Information

The Mass will take place in St. Teilo’s Church, Museum of Welsh Life, St. Fagans on Saturday 25th April 2009 at 14:0)Entry to the Museum of Welsh Life in St. Fagans is free. Car Parking £3. Museum of Welsh Life

St. Fagans
Cardiff
CF5 6XB
Phone: 02920 573500
Website: www.museumwales.ac.uk

The Archbishop Peter Smith, Bishop Edwin Regan, Bishop Daniel Mullins and Alan Jones, who is studying for the priesthood in Milton Keynes, will all be taking part in the Mass.

Special guests include: Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the Ambassador for Lithuania; Anthony Parker, Welsh folk life expert; Dr Robin Gwyndaf, Dafydd Pritchard and Prof. David Thorne

2010 Events

‘St. John Roberts Requiem’ by Brian Hughes with Rhys Meirion will be performed across Wales to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of St John Roberts.The celebrations are organised by Sue Roberts (Vice-Chairman of “Cylch Catholig” (Catholic Circle) and Keith O’Brien (Director of Llys Ednowain Heritage Centre, Trawsfynydd)

Sue Roberts Delfryn
Yr Ala
Pwllheli
Gwynedd
LL53 5BL
Phone: 01758 614 977
E-mail: sue@inc-cyf.com

Keith O’Brien TrawsNewid

Llys Ednowain
Trawsfynydd
Gwynedd
LL41 4UB
Phone: 01766 540 528

Celebration Timetable 2010

· 6th June 2010 – Open-air Mass in the remains of Cymer Abbey, near Dolgellau (over 1000 people expected)

· St. John Roberts Requiem performances

· 11th June 2010 – St Giles, Wrexham

· 12th June 2010 – Bangor Cathedral

· 13th June 2010 – Aberystwyth University

· 18th June 2010 – Brecon Cathedral

· 19th June 2010 – Llandaf Cathedral, Cardiff

· 20th June 2010 – Swansea Cathedral

· 8 – 10 July or 15 – 18 July 2010 – Pilgrimage from Rhiw Goch to Tyburn

There will be a special book launch of ‘Achub Eglways Sant Teilo’ on Saturday 26th April. A new book on the history of St. Teilo’s Church, the medieval church in St. Fagans which has grasped the imagination of so many people over the years. Discount copies will be available in the Mass on the 25th April 2009.

The Archbishop of Canterbury officially opened St. Teilo’s Church in October 2007. The church was moved stone-by-stone from its home on the flood plain of the River Loughor near Pontarddulais and today stands proudly at St. Fagans.

The fully restored medieval church now looks as it would have done in about 1520 and contains all the elements associated with a late medieval Catholic church including a striking rood screen and a loft elaborately carved out of oak. The interior is decorated with copies of an extremely rare series of colourful wall paintings, which were discovered under layer upon layer of paint.

Offeren Gymraeg unigryw yn lansio cyfres o ddathliadau Sant John Roberts.

Eglwys Sant Teilo, Sain Ffagan yn croesawu pererindod unigryw.

Yr Arglwydd Dafydd Elis-Thomas yn edrych ymlaen at “ddigwyddiad pwysig yng nghalendr hanesyddol a chrefyddol Cymru”.

Ar ddydd Sadwrn, Ebrill 25 eleni, cynhelir Offeren dra gwahanol yn Eglwys Sant Teilo, Sain Ffagan; am y tro cyntaf erioed, bydd Offeren Gymraeg yn cael ei chynnal yn yr eglwys hanesyddol hon. Mae pob tocyn eisoes wedi mynd ar gyfer yr Offeren, sef y digwyddiad cyntaf mewn cyfres o ddigwyddiadau ar draws Cymru i ddathlu pedwar can mlwyddiant merthyrdod Sant John Roberts o Drawsfynydd.

Meddai Sue Roberts, Is-gadeirydd y Cylch Catholig, sy’n trefnu’r dathliadau: “Roedd yr ymateb i’r Offeren yn anhygoel. Gallwn yn hawdd fod wedi llenwi’r Eglwys deirgwaith drosodd. Ac mae’r ffaith mai yn Gymraeg fydd yr Offeren Gatholig gyntaf i’w chynnal yn yr Eglwys ers bron i bum can mlynedd yn rhoi blas arbennig ar yr achlysur.“

Mae Sant John Roberts yn gymeriad hanesyddol, yn ogystal â chrefyddol, pwysig iawn i Gymru gyfan ac mae’n enwocach fyth yn Ffrainc a Sbaen ble bydd nifer fawr o ddigwyddiadau i’w goffáu yn cael eu cynnal yn 2010. Yn enedigol o fferm Rhiw Goch, Trawsfynydd, cafodd ei addysg gynnar yn Abaty Cymer, ger Dolgellau, yna aeth ymlaen i Rydychen i astudio’r gyfraith cyn symud i fyw i Ffrainc ble cafodd ei droedigaeth a’i dderbyn i’r Eglwys Gatholig. Aeth ymlaen i Valladolid yn Sbaen ble cafodd ei hyfforddi’n offeiriad, yn dilyn hyn, dychwelodd i Lundain i weini ar y tlodion ond cafodd ei alltudio sawl gwaith gan yr awdurdodau gwrth-gatholig cyn cael ei ddedfrydu i farwolaeth yn Tyburn 10 Rhagfyr, 1610. Cafodd ei ganoneiddio yn 1970 gan Pab Pawl VI. (Gweler darlun o’r Sant wedi atodi).

Soniodd un o gyd-drefnwyr dathliadau coffa Sant John Roberts, Keith O’Brien o Ganolfan Treftadaeth Llys Ednowain, Trawsfynydd, sef canolfan sy’n olrhain hanes Sant John Roberts a Hedd Wyn fod yr Offeren “yn ffordd wirioneddol wych o lansio’r digwyddiadau i gofio am y sant yng Nghymru a sicrhau bod y dathliadau’r un mor wefreiddiol yn ei wlad enedigol ac y byddant ar y cyfandir.”

Bydd y dathliadau yn parhau yn 2010 gydag Offeren yn Abaty Cymer, Dolgellau ar Fehefin 6, 2010. Yn dilyn hyn, bydd cyfres o berfformiadau o ‘Requiem Sant John Roberts’ gan Brian Hughes; caiff rhan y Sant ei berfformio gan Rhys Meirion gyda chyfeiliant côrau a cherddorfa. Bydd y Requiem yn cael ei pherfformio mewn chwe eglwys gadeiriol ar draws Cymru. Fis Gorffennaf 2010 bydd pererindod o Riw Goch i Tyburn ac uchafbwynt fydd gwasanaeth cydenwadol yn Eglwys Gadeiriol Westminster gyda phenaethiaid yr Eglwysi’n bresennol.

Dyma’r tro cyntaf erioed i Offeren Gymraeg cael ei chynnal yn Eglwys Sant Teilo a gafodd ei symud o Bontarddulais a’i hailgodi yn Amgueddfa Werin Cymru, Sain Ffagan ddwy flynedd yn ôl. Archesgob Caerdydd; Peter Smith, Esgob Wrecsam; Edwin Regan a chyn-Esgob Mynwy; Daniel Mullins, fydd yn cyd-ddathlu ynghyd â nifer o offeiriaid Cymru gyda darlleniadau gan ddisgyblion ysgolion Catholig De Cymru. (Gweler llun atodedig – Eglwys Sant Teilo. Angen cydnabod - Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales).

Bydd y seremoni liwgar yn cychwyn am 2 o’r gloch gyda gorymdaith o Sefydliad y Gweithwyr i Eglwys Sant Teilo dan arweiniad yr Archesgob, yr Esgobion, Offeiriaid a’r gweision allor ifanc, i gyd yn eu gwisgoedd seremonïol. Bydd un o’r gweision yn cario’r groes ac un arall yn cario’r arogldarth.

Dywedodd yr Archesgob, Peter Smith “Rwyf wrth fy modd ein bod yn gallu tynnu ar hen draddodiadau Cymru a dathlu Offeren Gatholig Gymraeg yn yr eglwys hynod hon am y tro cyntaf ers y Diwygiad Protestannaidd. Mae’r ffaith fod yr Offeren yn cael ei chynnal yn y Gymraeg yn dangos fod yr Eglwys hefyd â rhan lawn ym mywyd Cymru heddiw. Hoffwn hefyd estyn gwahoddiad i’r cyhoedd ddod i wylio’r orymdaith liwgar cyn yr Offeren.”

Elfen gyffrous arall o’r dathliad fydd y defnydd o Gwpan Dowlais (Dowlais Chalice), sy’n dyddio o’r un cyfnod a Sant John Roberts. Hefyd bydd ‘replica’ amrhisiadwy o Gwpan a Phaten Abaty Cymer (Cymer Abbey Chalice and Paten), sef yr abaty ble cafodd Sant John Robert ei addysg gynnar. Bydd y gwpan, sydd dros 100 mlwydd oed ac ar log hael gan yr Amgueddfa Cymru, yn cael ei arddangos ar yr allor yn ystod y seremoni.

Bydd Eglwys Sant Teilo dan ei sang gyda 150 o westeion yn mynychu’r gwasanaeth. Dywed yr Esgob Edwin Regan o Wrecsam “Rwyf wrth fy modd fod pobl o bob rhan o Gymru yn yr Offeren ac mae’n bleser cael plant sy’n dysgu Cymraeg yn ysgolion Catholig y de-ddwyrain i gymryd rhan. Mae ein gwreiddiau fel Catholigion Cymraeg yn Eglwys Sant Teilo ac mae’r plant yn gallu tynnu maeth o hynny at y dyfodol. Rwy’n hynod falch fod yr eglwys hyfryd hon wedi’i hadfer. Mae dechrau ar flwyddyn o ddathlu merthyron Cymru gyda’r Offeren hon yn rhoi’r dechrau gorau posibl i’r holl ddathliadau yn 2010."

Ymysg y gwesteion anrhydeddus fydd Llywydd y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, yr Arglwydd Dafydd Elis-Thomas. “Rwy’n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at yr Offeren yn ogystal â’r digwyddiadau eraill fydd yn cael eu cynnal dros y flwyddyn nesaf a fydd yn tynnu sylw at achlysur pwysig yng nghalendr hanesyddol a chrefyddol cymru.”

Diwedd-
Ymholiadau’r wasg a’r cyfryngau

Am fwy o fanylion cysylltwch â Lydia Jones - Mr Producer

Ffon: 02920 916 667

Ebost: lydia@mrproducer.co.uk

Cyfweliadau ar gael ar gais cyn yr Offeren ac ar y dydd.

Croeso i newyddion radio a theledu ar y dydd, cysylltwch ar swyddfa i drefnu os gwelwch yn dda.

Manylion cyffredinol Offeren Eglwys Sant Teilo, Sain Ffagan

* Bydd yr Offeren yn cael ei dathlu yn Eglwys Sant Teilo, Amgueddfa Werin Cymru, Sain Ffagan, ddydd Sadwrn, Ebrill 25, 2009 am 14:00.

* Mae mynediad i Amgueddfa Werin Cymru, Sain Ffagan, yn rhad ac am ddim, parcio ceir £3.
Amgueddfa Werin Cymru,
Sain Ffagan,
Caerdydd,
CF5 6XB
Ffon: 02920 573500
Gwefan: www.amgueddfacymru.ac.uk

* Mae’r Archesgob Peter Smith, yr Esgob Edwin Regan, Esgob Daniel Mullins ac Alan Jones sydd yn astudio am yr offeiriadaeth yn Milton Keynes i gyd yn cymryd rhan yn yr Offeren.

* Gwesteion arbennig yn cynnwys: yr Arglwydd Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Llysgennad Lithuania; Anthony Parker, Dr Robin Gwyndaf sy’n awdurdod ar fywyd gwerin, y Prifardd Dafydd Pritchard, Prif Lenor Harri Pritchard Jones a’r Athro David Thorne.

* Digwyddiadau 2010

* Requiem Sant John Roberts gan Brian Hughes gyda Rhys Meirion, a fydd yn cael ei berfformio ar draws y wlad i ddathlu pedwar can mlwyddiant marwolaeth Sant John Roberts.

* Trefnir y dathliadau gan Sue Roberts, Is-gadeirydd y Cylch Catholig a Keith O’Brien, Cyfarwyddwr Canolfan Treftadaeth Llys Ednowain, Trawsfynydd.
Sue Roberts

Ffôn: 01758 614 977

Ebost: sue@inc-cyf.com


* Keith O’Brien
Trawsnewid
Ffon: 01766 540 528

Amserlen dathliadau 2010

· 6 Mehefin 2010 – Offeren awyr agored yn adfeilion Abaty Cymer, ger Dolgellau (disgwylir dros 1000 o bobl)

· Perfformiadau Requiem Sant John Roberts

· 11 Mehefin 2010 – St Giles, Wrecsam

· 12 Mehefin 2010 – Eglwys Gadeiriol Bangor

· 13 Mehefin 2010 – Prifysgol Aberystwyth

· 18 Mehefin 2010 – Eglwys Gadeiriol Aberhonddu

· 19 Mehefin 2010 – Eglwys Gadeiriol Llandaf

· 20 Mehefin 2010 – Eglwys Gadeiriol Abertawe

· Pererindod i Lundain – 8 – 11 Gorffennaf neu 15 -18 Gorffennaf 2010

* Ar ddydd Sul, 26 Ebrill, bydd lansiad llyfr arbennig 'Achub Eglwys Sant Teilo'. Dyma hanes yr eglwys ganoloesol yn Sain Ffagan sydd wedi gafael yn nychymyg gymaint o bobl dros y blynyddoedd. Bydd copiau ar ddisgownt ar gael ar y 25ain.

Agorodd Archesgob Caergaint Eglwys Sant Teilo yn swyddogol yn Hydref 2007. Symudwyd yr eglwys fesul carreg o’i chartref ar orlifdir afon Llwchwr ger Pontarddulais, a heddiw mae’n sefyll yn Sain Ffagan. Mae’r eglwys ganoloesol wedi ei hadfer yn llwyr erbyn hyn, ac mae’n edrych fel y byddai wedi bod tua 1520 gyda holl elfennau eglwys Gatholig o ddiwedd y cyfnod canoloesol, gan gynnwys croglofft drawiadol wedi ei cherfio o goed derw. Addurnwyd y tu fewn i’r eglwys gyda chopïau o gyfres brin iawn o furluniau lliwgar, a ddarganfuwyd dan haenau di-ri o baent.