Organised by The Forgotten Landscapes Project, the two fireside events aim to bring the real and mythical past of Clydach Gorge to life – ensuring that stories which have survived for generations are captured and passed on in a memorable way. The first event will take place on 9th November at The Corn Exchange, Gilwern and the second will be held on the 10th November at The Jolly Collier, Llanelly Hill. Families are welcome to drop in between 5 – 7pm, enjoy some spicy mulled wine or warming apple juice whilst they enjoy the tales being spun.
The event is also there to encourage people to share their version of these traditional tales, how life has changed in the Gorge and maybe even tell some new tales. If you have photos that you are willing to share, then bring them along too!
Supported by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, Heritage Lottery Fund and Torfaen County Borough Council, The Forgotten Landscapes Project aims to bring the stories of Clydach Gorge to life through a series of new trails and events. The history of Clydach Gorge is filled with tales of the unexpected, fairies and other worldly creatures – in fact, it was this beautiful location that was said to have inspired Shakespeare to pen A Midsummer Night’s Dream. So if you’d like to find out how the evil School Sorceress ensured that all children attended the school near the Clydach Ironworks or the Lonely Shepherd who was so cruel to his wife his spirit now wanders down to the river on Midsummer’s Eve in search of forgiveness, join us for these two winter evenings as our storyteller takes you on an imaginative journey back in time to explore the magnificent Clydach Gorge to find out the darker side of its history.
Suzanna Jones, Interpretation Officer for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “The Forgotten Landscapes Project will be creating interpretation for visitors and residents – and we want to make sure that the stories included are those that tell the true, often hidden story, of life in Clydach Gorge – the real and the mythical. We are really eager to hear stories from the residents of the Gorge, and hope that the telling of stories around the fire in The Jolly Colliers and The Corn Exchange, will encourage people to share their tales.”
If you are unable to attend but would like to be involved, then please get in touch with Kim Colebrook on 01873 850496 or kim@candoteam.wanadoo.co.uk
-ENDS-
Picture Copyright: Jayne Goodwin (Art Matters Studio)
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Forgotten Landscapes – Clydach Gorge
Clydach Gorge is part of The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and also part of the Forgotten Landscapes project. The Project is all about conserving the natural and built landscape, and encouraging people to get out into the landscape.
Clydach Gorge is an important part of this project with its rich geology, ecology and heritage. Planned projects include:
• Improvements to trails
• Stabilisation of the Llanelly Quarry Limekilns
• The development of interpretation to bring the stories and heritage of the Gorge to life for visitors and residents alike.
This story telling event is part of the Interpretation project – one aim is to gather local stories – be they folk tales or stories of living and working in the Gorge over the last 100 years, we would love to hear them whether they be about life before the A465, or about working on the railway or in the quarry.
The event is also an opportunity to learn more about The Forgotten Landscape project – you can keep in touch by looking at www.forgottenlandscapes.org.uk or follow the blog at http://forgottenlandscapesproject.blogspot.com/
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park is a landscape that offers a legacy of unparalleled proportions with spectacular mountain ranges, internationally renowned geology, bountiful wildlife and diverse recreational opportunities. It contains some of the most spectacular and distinctive upland formations in southern Britain and covers an area of 1347 sq km (520 sq miles).
Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 28,800 projects allocating over £4.3 billion across the UK, including more than 1,800 projects totalling over £200 million in Wales. To find out more, please visit www.hlf.org.uk
• Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) have awarded a grant of £1,474,000 to the Forgotten Landscapes Partnership project.
• HLF’s Landscape Partnerships are helping bring together members of the community as well as local, regional and national organisations to deliver schemes which benefit some of the UK’s most outstanding landscapes and rural communities. Grants range from £250,000 up to £2million.
For further information on the Heritage Lottery Fund, please contact:
Stephen Barlow, Development Officer. Telephone: 029 2023 4165. Email: stephenb@hlf.org.uk