Trails, traditional crafts, creative workshops and special events are planned at the Dre-fach Felindre attraction throughout the school holidays

THE NATIONAL WOOL MUSEUM is celebrating its 50th birthday with a packed programme of family activities, creative workshops and special events this summer.

Located in the heart of the Teifi Valley at Dre-fach Felindre, near Newcastle Emlyn, the museum tells the story of Wales’ internationally renowned woollen industry through working machinery, traditional crafts and interactive displays.

Visitors will be able to take part in a range of free drop-in activities, including the new interactive Woolly Tale Family Trail, a Meadow Trail and seasonal crafts in the museum’s new Make and Create Space.

Craft activities will change throughout the summer and may include making lavender bags, summer flowers and colourful pom-poms.

Children can also enjoy hands-on activities from the museum’s Art Cart, while demonstrations of traditional crafts and historic textile machinery will take place during the week.

As demonstration times and activities may vary each day, families planning a visit for a particular attraction are advised to contact the museum in advance on 02920 573070.

A series of bookable workshops and events will also be held during the summer.

The CREU Young Makers Family Wet Felting workshops will take place on July 29 and August 11, 13 and 18, from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets cost £9 per child.

Using colourful wool and warm, soapy water, children will learn the traditional craft of wet felting and create their own keepsake to take home.

On July 30, visitors can join CREU Conversations: Meet the Gardener from 10.30am to 11.30am.

Susan Martin, gardener of the museum’s Natural Dye Garden, will explain how plants have been used for centuries to produce natural colours for dyeing yarn.

The session will explore the connections between plants, textiles and traditional skills, including the use of teasels in textile production and the growing of flax for spinning linen yarn.

Visitors will also be able to watch last year’s flax crop being processed to release its fibres and try using a traditional flax brake.

The event costs £10 per person and is open to those aged 18 and over.

A free day of storytelling and history, Johnny Lewis and Friends: Stories from Cambrian Mills, will be held on August 15 from 10.30am to 3pm.

Inspired by Johnny Lewis, the former owner of Cambrian Mills, the event will feature character-led tours in Welsh and English exploring life at the mill and the history of the local woollen industry.

Visitors will also be able to see a Triumph Mayflower, the type of car Johnny drove, and discover more about the people, places and traditions connected to the museum.

Another character appearing during the event will be Nansi, inspired by the families who lived and worked within the area’s woollen communities.

Places for the bookable activities can be reserved through the National Wool Museum’s website.

The museum’s summer programme forms part of its year-long 50th anniversary celebrations, marking five decades of preserving and sharing the story of Wales’ woollen heritage.

THOUSANDS of visitors are expected to travel to Eisteddfod y Garreg Las from communities across Wales and beyond.

Whether you are arriving by car, bus, train, coach or taxi, planning your journey in advance will help ensure you reach the Maes safely and in good time.

Travelling by car

Drivers should follow the yellow ‘Eisteddfod’ signs, which will direct traffic to the Maes and the free visitor car parks.

The Eisteddfod site at Llantwd is situated a few miles south of Cardigan.

From Fishguard

Follow the A487 north through Newport and continue towards the Maes entrance, following the yellow Eisteddfod signs as you approach the site.

From Narberth or Carmarthen

Leave the A40 at the Penblewin roundabout and take the A478 towards Cardigan.

Continue to the junction with the B4332 at Postgwyn, turn left and travel west for approximately two miles. Follow the Eisteddfod signs, which will direct traffic north from the B4332 before reaching Eglwyswrw.

From Crymych and Boncath

Travel to the junction of the B4332 and A478 at Postgwyn, then continue west and follow the Eisteddfod signs.

From Cardigan and the north

Travel south from Cardigan and follow the yellow Eisteddfod signs to the Maes.

Visitors should use the designated free car parks and must not park on the roadside. Parking restrictions will be in place around the site.

Travelling by bus

Additional bus services will make it easier for visitors to leave the car at home during the Eisteddfod.

TrawsCymru T5

The TrawsCymru T5 service will take passengers directly to the Maes at Llantwd, with regular services operating between Haverfordwest and Cardigan via Fishguard and Newport.

More frequent buses and late-evening services will operate between Fishguard and Cardigan throughout Eisteddfod week.

Service 430

The 430 bus provides a link between Narberth and Cardigan via Crymych.

Thanks to support from Pembrokeshire County Council, the service will operate every day during the Eisteddfod, with all journeys running to and from Narberth.

An additional late-evening bus will leave directly from the Maes at 11.15pm. Passengers travelling onwards will need to change at Cardigan.

The special T5 and 430 timetables can be downloaded from:

https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/bus-routes-and-timetables/planned-bus-service-changes

Travel is free for passengers with an All-Wales Concessionary Bus Pass.

Young people aged 21 and under can travel for £1 per journey, with a maximum daily fare of £3. Passengers aged between 16 and 21 will need a MyTravelPass.

Special Eisteddfod fares are also available from Transport for Wales:

https://traws.cymru/en/catch-the-t5-bus-straight-to-the-eisteddfod

Free shuttle from Cardigan

Visitors can also use Bws yr Arglwydd Rhys, a free shuttle bus operating between Finch Square in Cardigan and the Maes.

The service will run every hour, on the hour, from 7am until midnight.

Travelling by train

Transport for Wales will operate regular free shuttle buses between Carmarthen railway station and the Maes.

Further information about rail services is available at:

https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel

Visitors can also plan their journeys through Traveline Cymru:

https://www.traveline.cymru

Special coach excursions

Several operators are organising dedicated trips to the Eisteddfod.

Jones Login

Jones Login will operate excursions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The coach will leave Carmarthen at 7.35am, with pick-up points in St Clears, Whitland, Penblewin, Narberth and along the A478.

Information and booking:

https://www.joneslogin.co.uk/Tour/Eisteddfod-Genedlaethol-Cymru

Windy Corner Coaches

Windy Corner Coaches will operate trips on Monday and Friday, as well as a special excursion on the first Saturday for the Super Furry Animals concert.

Information and booking:

https://windycornercoaches.co.uk/day-trips

Midway Motors

Midway Motors will operate services to the Maes every day throughout the Eisteddfod.

The daytime service will depart from:

• Tegryn at 10am
• Llanfyrnach at 10.05am
• Hermon at 10.10am
• Crymych at 10.15am
• Blaenffos at 10.20am
• Boncath at 10.25am
• Eglwyswrw at 10.35am

The return journey will leave the Maes at 6pm.

An evening service will also operate, departing from:

• Tegryn at 5.15pm
• Llanfyrnach at 5.20pm
• Hermon at 5.25pm
• Crymych at 5.30pm
• Blaenffos at 5.40pm
• Boncath at 5.45pm
• Eglwyswrw at 5.50pm

The evening return journey will leave the Maes at 11pm.

Fares are £5 for adults and £1 for children.

To book, call 01239 831267.

Travelling by taxi

Local taxi and private-hire firms serving the Maes include:

Kyle’s Taxis, H J Taxis Ltd, Tony’s Taxis, Fishguard Taxis, Morgans Private Hire, Letterston Taxi Service, Frank’s Cabs and St David’s Taxis, A2B Minibuses and Taxis, H&S Cab Service, Robins Taxis and Home James.

Visitors are advised to book taxis and coach seats in advance, particularly for late-evening journeys and major Eisteddfod events.

MUSIC lovers are invited to take a journey through the golden age of swing when SOS Big Band – The Story of Swing arrives at the Torch Theatre this August.

Presented by award-winning vocalist and world-class trumpet player Gareth John, alongside the acclaimed SOS Big Band, the show celebrates decades of iconic swing and big band music.

Audiences can expect much-loved classics made famous by Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, as well as more modern hits associated with Michael Bublé, Robbie Williams, Matt Goss, Paul Anka and Harry Connick Jr.

Renowned for his showmanship and passion for the genre, Gareth brings a natural warmth and energy to the stage, building an easy rapport with audiences wherever he performs.

During his career, he has shared the stage with a number of household names, including The Beautiful South and The Specials.

The production has already received enthusiastic reviews during its tour, with one audience member at the Core Theatre in Solihull describing it as “a brilliant show”.

SOS Big Band – The Story of Swing will be performed at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, on Saturday, August 1, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £28.50 and can be booked through the Torch Theatre website or by calling the box office on 01646 695267.