Mair Williams's blog

A metal detectorist, Mike Smith, has discovered an ancient Celtic chariot burial in a yet to be disclosed site in Pembrokeshire (Welsh: Sir Benfro) in the southwest of Wales. At first, when searching in February of this year, he thought he had found a medieval brooch, but he was later advised that it was a Celtic horse harness dating from around 600 BC. So he explored and found more pieces. This led to initial excavations and surveys being undertaken in June by Dyfed Archaeological Trust and National Museum Wales. Then the tops of a pair of chariot wheels were uncovered.

Cascade Dance Theatre is a Cardiff based repertory touring company. In Wales, their work is focused on the Creu Cymru dance touring network that reaches across the whole of the country in venues as disparate as Theatr Taliesin in Swansea, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Blackwood Miners Institute and Neuadd Dwyfor in Pwllheli. This month the company is presenting an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece FRANKENSTEIN in venues across Wales.

News from Llên Natur:

The Menai Strait (Welsh: Afon Menai) is a narrow stretch of shallow tidal water approximately 16 miles long, that separates the island of Anglesey (Ynys Môn) from the mainland of Wales (Cymru). The strait varies in width from about 1,300 ft (400 metres) 3,800ft (1,160 metres). The differential tides at the two ends of the strait cause strong currents that flow in both directions through the strait at different times, creating dangerous conditions. One of the most dangerous areas of the strait is known as the Swellies (Welsh Pwll Ceris) between two bridges that span the Strait.

There was a headline news item on BBC Wales yesterday (23 October) " 'Paupers' funerals' in Wales reach five-year high". The news item went on to report that the number of public health funerals in Wales in 2017-18 was the highest for at least five years. So-called paupers' funerals are held by public authorities and the figures show a rise of 62% since 2013-14.

Finn Burnham, 18, from Betws-y-Coed, has completed an epic 400 nautical mile journey around Wales in the memory of best friend Callum Wylie. Callum, an international level skier and talented mountain biker, tragically died, aged 18, on February  1, days after making an attempt on his own life. Finn started his epic kayak journey on September 1 from Llandudno lifeboat station, tackling inland waterways, locks and rivers. Then he followed the coastline of Wales all the way to the completion of his journey last Saturday, near the Llandudno lifeboat station where it all began.

Urdd Gobaith Cymru (Urdd) is the largest organisation for children and young people in Wales, with 30% of all Welsh speakers in Wales aged between 8-25 being members. Since it was established in 1922 it has played a significant role in promoting a Welsh and Welsh-speaking citizenship amongst Welsh youth.  They organise a range of activities and develop projects that increase the use of the Welsh language  by children and young people. This includes 150 sports clubs that meet weekly and the Urdd Theatre Company.

The Welsh market town of Brecon (Welsh: Aberhonddu) is having building work undertaken on the 177 year old Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery. It is all part of a £13m project to create a new community facility known as Y Gaer, that will include a library, cafe, community space and function rooms. Work started in 2016, but as reported by BBC Wales, it has had to be delayed because of breeding Puffins. This is because stone needed for the project could not be quarried as it was close to a Puffin sanctuary. 

Adam Price (born 23 September 1968) has been elected as the new leader of Plaid Cymru – Party of Wales. He is the son of a miner and was born in Carmarthen (Caerfyrddin). Since 2016 he has sat in the National Assembly for Wales for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, having previously been a Member of Parliament for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency. 

Zombies are quite frightening fictional creatures.  Dead people who have been brought back to life, but lose any of their old humanity. Popular in horror and fantasy genre works, they are often depicted attacking and eating human beings. Taking advantage of this fascination with the Zombie phenomana is the Zombie Infection company. They have decided to bring the TSS (Turbine Steam Ship) Duke of Lancaster back to life so that visitors can encounter the undead. The former passenger ferry used to sail between Heysham and Belfast in the 50s and 60s.