I thought I would write a little more about the special guests which kindly joined us over the 10th celebration weekend, to give you a chance to get to know them a little better.
The truth is, these wonderful people are such passionate supporters of not only the language and its culture, but also of you, who choose to make that incredible transition to become Welsh speakers.
A word about our weekend special guests…
Firstly, our apologies for those promised guests who eventually weren’t able to join us for various reasons. We were as deeply disappointed as many of you. But despite their absence, I feel that those who did join us filled our weekend to the brim with joy and entertainment.
Manon Steffan Ros, is one of Wales’ most successful and popular authors. She’s also a scriptwriter, dramatist, columnist, singer songwriter and former actress. She’s the daughter of musician Steve Eaves and sister of singer songwriter Lleuwen Steffan. She has published novels for children, adults and learners and released one album ‘Llifo Fel Oed’ under the name Blodau Gwylltion. She admits to always being in total awe of the passion and dedication shown by Welsh learners.
Meinir Gwilym, singer songwriter, began writing songs at the age of 13 and released her first album in 2002 when she was only 19 - it’s still widely played. She is one of our best-loved and best-selling artists of the Welsh pop/folk genre. She’s also a TV and radio presenter, keen environmentalist, experienced gardener and passionate supporter of SSiW.
Gwibdaith Hen Fran, an ‘alternative acoustic trip folk’ band are a fabulous addition to any gig. They are without a doubt one of Wales’ most popular bands, bringing joy to young and old alike. Most of the songs you heard them play on Friday evening can be heard on their first ever album ‘Cedors Hen Wrach’ released in 2007. Although they’ve since released another three successful albums, this remains their most popular.
Owen Shiers, originally from the Clettwr valley, graduated with a first class honours degree in Commercial Music from Bath Spa University. As well as travelling the world playing and researching music, he has also played at WOMAD, Glastonbury and Shambala, worked alongside artists such as Peter Gabriel, Toumani Diabate, Seckou Keita, Sam Lee and Spiro and composed for television. He has a passion for historic Welsh folk music and is on a journey to “uncover more of the untold stories of the locals whose voices have been lost over the centuries.”
Bethan Gwanas must be Wales’ most popular and prolific, contemporary author. A former teacher and research assistant with Radio Cymru, Bethan also worked for the Urdd before becoming a full time author, columnist and literary promoter. She is a champion of informal writing and contemporary themes and believes passionately in reaching out to a wider audience, drawing new readers to Welsh literature. She has written novels for young children, teenagers, adults and learners.
“Nia Parry was born on Anglesey and was brought up in Rhos on Sea, Conwy. Having been educated at Ysgol y Creuddyn, and having studied English, Welsh and French at A Level, Nia studied for a Welsh Degree at University of Wales, Swansea. After graduating, Nia travelled Nepal, India, South America, Egypt, Israel and Turkey. Nia Parry worked as an English tutor in Istanbul for nine months before returning to Wales to begin studying for a PhD about Second Language Teaching Methodology, looking specifically at teaching Welsh as a second language to adults. Before long Nia was working at the Centre for Teaching Welsh to Adults at University of Wales Cardiff where she taught a variety of courses to learners ranging from complete beginners up to A Level. Nia was training new teachers, teaching Welsh in the Workplace and developing new teaching materials. Nia is co-author of the coursebook ‘Dosbarth Nos’.
In the year 2000, Nia Parry ventured into broadcasting and the media, working as a Welsh tutor on the series ‘Welsh in a Week’ on S4C. After six series’ Nia went on to teach and present on the series ‘cariad@iaith’ (Love 4 Language), a reality show where a group of people co-habited and had Welsh lessons for 8 weeks in Nant Gwrtheyrn, a Language Centre on the Lleyn Peninsula. Nia also worked on a celebrity version where she taught Welsh to the likes of Tanni Grey Thompson, Ruth Madoc and Janet Street Porter. Three years ago, Nia began presenting ‘Cwpwrdd Dillad’ (Wardrobe) and ‘Y Sioe’ (The Sioe- Royal Welsh Agricultural Show) and she has produced the following programmes: ‘Cwpwrdd Dillad’, ‘04 Wal’ (4 Walls), ‘Ty Cymreig’ (Welsh House) a ‘Dau yn Un’ (Two in One) in Patagonia, Argentina, as well as two documentaries ‘Martin Thomas’ and ‘Bwrw Bol’ on S4C.
Nia Parry is passionate about many things including talking to people and telling their stories. Nia is very passionate about learning, teaching and the psychology of education. Nia has recently become freelance in order to pursue all those things which she is passionate about.”
Dr Carl Clowes the founder of Nant Gwrtheyrn (the Welsh Language and Heritage Centre), graduated as a doctor in 1967. He then moved with his wife Dorothy and young children to a rural practice in the village of Llanaelhaearn where I was raised. Concerned by the struggles of the village, poor transport links, lack of employment and threatened closure of the school, he developed an interest in sustainable communities in rural areas. In 1973, Inspired by the efforts of the residents of Òilean Cleire (a small island south west of Ireland) he and my father travelled to the island to learn more about their self sufficiency projects. On returning to Llanaelhaearn they set up a village committee and soon Antur Aelhaearn was born -
“The UK’s first community cooperative, set up to stem the tide of people deserting a small village in north Wales… set up by most of the 210 villagers desperate to rejuvenate the declining local economy. The co-operative set up a knitting business and a pottery, and were able to create training and work opportunities for local people.”
Later Carl went on to gather support for Nant Gwrtheyrn. Between 2007 and 2010 a £5m renovation of the listed village was realised through grant, including £3.8 million of European and Welsh government grants. This grant aid has helped to establish a unique residential centre and day visitor attraction at Nant Gwrtheyrn. Then in March 2011 the centre was officially opened. Carl and Dorothy are also the parents of two members of The Super Furry Animals - Dafydd Ieuan and Cian Ciaran. If you are interested in learning more about Carl and his adventures he has a new autobiography out.