Entertainment

Twin exhibitions aim to reconnect people with The Lost Words of nature and culture

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2023

A UNIQUE partnership between Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales and two National Park Authorities in Wales will see the best-selling book Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words brought to life in two fully bilingual exhibitions for the first time this summer.

Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words explores the relationship between language and the living world, and of nature’s power to spark the imagination. The touring exhibition, which is organised by Compton Verney, with Hamish Hamilton and Penguin Books, will bring together, for the first time the original artwork by Jackie Morris alongside the English language poems by Robert Macfarlane and Welsh language poems written by Mererid Hopwood.

The award-winning book The Lost Words uses stirring spell-songs and eye-catching illustrations to reintroduce the fading faces of nature to our vocabularies and in turn, inspire us to join the fight to reverse their plight. The Welsh publication, Geiriau Diflanedig was published by Graffeg in 2019.

The collaboration between Amgueddfa Cymru, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park Authority will see words and watercolours from the book on display at Yr Ysgwrn in Gwynedd from Sunday 25 June 2023 and at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in Pembrokeshire from Sunday 2 July 2023.

At Oriel y Parc in St Davids, specimens from the natural history collections of Amgueddfa Cymru will also be used to highlight the level of biodiversity loss and explain the work being done to try and arrest this decline.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Chair, Cllr Di Clements, said: “The Lost Words has already reintroduced nature to the language and lives of many people since its release, and it is hoped this exhibition will help amplify the rallying call of this rousing work still further.

“This unique collaboration brings together three organisations with shared aims and objectives, to promote nature, culture and heritage and highlight the issues impacting on these important elements of our everyday lives.

“It will also give people an insight into efforts being made to combat the threats that nature and the Welsh language face, as well as what steps people can take to help tackle these issues.”

Jonathan Cawley, Director of Planning and Land Management, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park Authority said, “Yr Ysgwrn is home to several species featured in Geiriau Diflanedig/The Lost Words and bringing this exhibition of lost words to the home of Wales’ lost poet, widely known for his nature inspired poetry is an exceptional privilege. Bringing together the beauty of species and their enchanting names, Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words never fails to inspire and its ability to engage young people in the importance of nature recovery and fostering our cultural heritage and the Welsh language in Eryri is particularly significant”.

A series of special events and activities will be held at Oriel y Parc and Yr Ysgwrn to encourage more people to discover more about Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words and use the spell-songs to conjure their own magic memories in nature.

Nia Williams, Director of Learning and Public Programmes, Amgueddfa Cymru added: “We are delighted to be collaborating in partnership with Oriel y Parc and Yr Ysgwrn to bring this exhibition to communities across west and north Wales.

“Following the publication of Geiriau Diflanedig, this is now a perfect time here in Wales to celebrate the Welsh language poems of Mererid Hopwood alongside the beautiful illustrations by Jackie Morris. We are proud to be presenting this exhibition in Welsh for the first time.”

Abby Viner, Director of Creative Programming, Compton Verney, said: “We are delighted to be working with Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales to present The Lost Words in Wales for the first time, and what a successful partnership it’s been working with the two venues who will be showing the works, with National Museum Wales co-ordinating. We can’t wait to see the exhibition in these fabulous venues.”

Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words will be on display at Yr Ysgwrn in Trawsfynydd from Sunday 25 June 2023 until spring 2024. For more information on this exhibition visit www.yrysgwrn.com/en/visit/lost-words-exhibition.

Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words will be on display at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in St Davids from Sunday 2 July 2023 until spring 2024. For more information on this exhibition visit www.orielyparc.co.uk/the-lost-words.

Entertainment

Programme unveiled for Fishguard Festival of Music 2025

Published

17 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

International stars and Welsh talent set to perform across the region

THE 2025 Fishguard Festival of Music will run from July 18 to 31, bringing a packed programme of classical and contemporary music to venues across Fishguard, Goodwick, and beyond.

The festival will open with a performance by the Welsh National Opera Orchestra at ST DAVID’S CATHEDRAL, featuring celebrated soprano REBECCA EVANS CBE as the soloist.

Now in its 53rd year, the festival continues its mission to showcase international excellence alongside emerging and homegrown talent, with concerts taking place at locations including THEATR GWAUN, BETHEL CHAPEL, NEUADD Y DDERWEN, RHOSYGILWEN, and open-air performances on THE PARROG in GOODWICK.

Artistic Director GILLIAN GREEN MBE said: “It’s a pleasure to share this year’s programme, which draws inspiration from our past and looks boldly to the future. Audiences will experience a rich variety of classical music performed by some of the finest artists working today.”

The line-up features names from across the UK and further afield, including the AQUARELLE GUITAR QUARTET, harpist MARED PUGH-EVANS, and percussionist DELIA STEVENS alongside harmonica virtuoso WILL POUND.

The festival also includes talks by composer and broadcaster GERAINT LEWIS, and a special appearance by the NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF WALES, who will close the festival at ST DAVID’S CATHEDRAL on July 31.

This year’s full programme includes:

Friday, July 18 – Welsh National Opera Orchestra with Rebecca Evans, St David’s Cathedral
Saturday, July 19 – Delia Stevens & Will Pound, Theatr Gwaun
Sunday, July 20 – Free open-air performances, The Parrog, Goodwick
Monday, July 21 – Ryan Vaughan Davies & David Doidge, Neuadd y Dderwen, Rhosygilwen
Tuesday, July 22 – Aquarelle Guitar Quartet, Bethel Chapel
Wednesday, July 23 – Mared Pugh-Evans (harp), Bethel Chapel
Thursday, July 24 – WNO Chamber Ensemble, Neuadd y Dderwen
Friday, July 25 – Kosmos Ensemble, Theatr Gwaun
Saturday, July 26 – Geoff Eales Trio, Theatr Gwaun
Sunday, July 27 – Geraint Lewis talks at Twr y Felin and St Peter’s Church, plus Young Music Makers of Dyfed at Theatr Gwaun
Monday, July 28 – Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Bethel Chapel
Tuesday, July 29 – Saints and Stones Tour, various locations
Wednesday, July 30 – Laura van der Heijden & Jâms Coleman, Neuadd y Dderwen
Thursday, July 31 – National Youth Orchestra of Wales, St David’s Cathedral

More information and tickets are available through the festival’s official website.

Entertainment

Movie motors and muscle cars roar into Haverfordwest Airport

Published

1 day ago

June 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Runway closed as high-octane driving experience arrives in Pembrokeshire

HAVERFORDWEST Airport has been transformed into a race track this weekend as nearly 30 iconic cars roll into town for a special Driving Experience Day.

The event, organised by Car Chase Heroes, kicked off on Saturday (June 21) and features a fleet of high-powered supercars, classic motors, and famous film vehicles — including a replica of the Italian Job bus and a police interceptor.

Petrolheads young and old are being given the chance to take the wheel, with the company allowing children as young as 10 to drive some of the cars, even without a licence.

Among the standout vehicles are a Porsche 911, Mustang GT350, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Jaguar E-Type, and a Bond-style DBT. Prices start at £49 for a driving session, which includes a spin in a chosen supercar and a high-speed passenger ride with a professional racing driver.

The event is taking place on the main runway of the privately-operated airfield, which was recently taken over from Pembrokeshire County Council by Haverfordwest Airport Limited. The runway is closed for the duration of the event, from 5:00pm on Friday (June 20) until 8:30am on Sunday (June 22).

Organisers described the venue as a “stunning airfield circuit” and said they were thrilled to bring their popular experience to West Wales.

Entertainment

Thousands mark 40 years of Pride in the Welsh capital

Published

2 days ago

June 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Cardiff comes alive with colour, music, and celebration as Pride Cymru commemorates historic milestone

THOUSANDS of people took to the streets of Cardiff on Saturday (June 21) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the city’s first ever gay rights march.

The annual Pride Cymru parade brought a wave of colour and celebration to the capital as it made its way through the city centre, ending near Cardiff Castle.

This year’s event holds particular significance, marking four decades since LGBTQ+ campaigners first marched through Cardiff to demand equality and recognition.

Crowds gathered from early morning to cheer on the vibrant procession, which featured community groups, charities, drag queens, floats, and flag-waving supporters from across Wales and beyond.

Hundreds of people travelled up from Pembrokeshire to take part in the celebrations, arriving by bus, car, and train to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community and mark this historic occasion.

Among the headline performers this weekend are singer Ella Henderson, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, and dance duo Booty Luv, entertaining festival-goers at the main stage.

Organisers say the event not only celebrates diversity but also reflects on how far the LGBTQ+ community has come in Wales since 1984 — while acknowledging the challenges that still remain.

The parade kicked off at 11:00am and continued throughout the day, with live music, speeches, and street parties across the city. Rainbow flags adorned shops and buildings as Cardiff stood united in a show of pride and solidarity.