Welsh Country - Issue93 - Mar-Apr 20

Stay a while
Why visit Wales?
Ceibwr Bay, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Wales is a land of beautiful scenery from
stunning coast to soaring mountains and
the many valleys, rivers and streams in
between.
But Wales is not just scenery, it has a
vibrant culture that is alive and well across
so many fields (no pun intended). Just
wandering around the country starting
in the North West with Ucheldre Centre.
Based in Holyhead it makes stopping
there before a ferry or coming off a ferry
so worthwhile. A very eclectic mix of arts
emanates from the historic building, film,
dance, art exhibitions and of course the
promotion of local arts such as a Charity
Entertainment Night on 28 th March.
Opening with mediumship from Islwyn
Owen and Eifion. Featuring music from
Caine’s acoustic project, Sera, Matthew
Joseph, Beth Frazer and more. All profits
will be donated to Alaw Ward & Awyr
Las helping transform the lives of patients
across North Wales.
From the eclectic to very much the
traditional. Agricultural shows are the
social backbone of the Welsh rural
community and are a fascinating day
out for visitors as well. Most know of the
Royal Welsh Show but there are many
local shows across Wales such as Llanfyllin
Show. These local shows are run by
volunteers dedicated to the continuance of
local and in many cases, family traditions
for the benefit of the local community and
any others that wish to visit. It is so good
that Sian Lewis at just 24 becomes the
secretary of what is known as ‘the friendly
show’. Following in the footsteps of her
grandfather, her late grandmother and
her step mother Sian said “I have been
attending Llanfyllin Show since I was in a
pram and I don’t think that I have missed
one since I was born. Serving the show is
a family tradition.” Thank you Sian for
helping to keep this super show alive and
going forward. All are welcome to visit on
8 th August in Llanfyllin.
Originating from the farming side of
Wales and the sheep that graze its verdant
pastures, is their wool, and it is wool that is
celebrated over the weekend of 25 th & 26 th
April at Builth Wells with Wonderwool.
Once you have visited this wondrous event
you will never look at wool again in the
same light. With so many different types
of wool and not only from sheep. With
wools from 5cm thick to the finest merino,
angora, cashmere wools as skeins, or as
maps. Yes maps! Some of many examples
of wool hangings on show at the event.
To just show how diversified is the
cultural side of Wales, we look at worms.
Oriel y Parc Gallery in St Davids is a
showcase for the Pembrokeshire Coast
National Park and has many superb
exhibitions, but over the spring up until
the 28 th June the gallery hosts Wriggle:
The Wonderful World of Worms.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Authority Chairman, Cllr Paul Harries
said: “The National Park and surrounding
waters are blessed with a variety of
wonderful wildlife, and while we often see
species such as seals and seabirds featured,
Wriggle will put worms and other unsung
underground heroes in the spotlight. “The
exhibition promises to be fun for the whole
family, with fascinating facts, folktales and
games based on worms and similar slithery
species, in addition to the ‘Wriggloo’
experience.”
So come and Stay in Wales and enjoy
Wales, its stunning scenery, its incredible
food and drink, but also its culture in its
widest and most varied sense.
Picture: 'Ceibwr Bay, Pembrokeshire'
by Russ Clarke-Wildeman
Wriggle: The Wonderful World of Worms, Oriel y Parc Gallery, St Davids
Mar - Apr 2020 59