Blogs

1st March


By Huw Llywelyn Rees, 2013-03-01

THE LIFE OF ST DAVID


  


There are no definite dates for David, but he is thought to have been born  c.487  and died 1st March in 589.

David's mother was Non, a nun at Ty Gwyn (Whitesands Bay).  It is said she was raped by Prince Sandde of Ceredigion and went into hiding, giving birth to David at Caerfai, on the coast just south of Mynyw (St. Davids), in the middle of a violent storm.  Non named her son, Dewidd, but he was commonly called Dewi.  David is an English version taken from the Latin, Davidus.  It is reported that even from the womb David performed miracles, as during her pregnancy Non entered a certain church to listen the preaching of the local priest, who was immediately struck dumb, unable to continue whilst in David's presence.

He was raised in Non's convent during his early childhood and by all accounts Non nurtured David carefully in the Christian faith and many of his fine qualities of character are attributed to her early influence.  He began his education in a monastery called Hen Fynyw (nr Aberaeron) and then studied under the monk St. Paulinus (the disciple of St. Germanus of Auxerre) probably at Whitland, where he was a star pupil and even cured Paulinus of his blindness. He is later said to have studied under St Illtud at Llanilltud Fawr.

David was soon ordained a priest and began to travel the country, evangelising as he went, also founding 12 monasteries and more than 50 churches from Pembrokeshire to Herefordshire.   He is reported as visiting the court of King Peibio Clafrog of Ergyng also curing him of blindness. It is claimed that David ate only bread and herbs and drank only water, which resulted in him being known as Dewi Dyfyrwr (David the Waterman).  However, in spite of his extreme ascetic lifestyle and meager diet we are told that he was of a lovable and happy disposition, tall and physically strong.  

David then undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with Saints Teilo and Padarn, where they are said to have been consecrated bishops.  On his return he founded the monastery of Mynyw (St. Davids), which became known as centre of learning, attracting many pupils from many different areas and from many walks of life, for example, King Constantine of Cornwall became a monk at Mynyw, as did St. Aeddan from Ireland, who later founded the monastery of Ferns.  David's order at Mynyw was known for the extreme asceticism of its rule, reputedly based on that of Egyptian monks. The Rule was strict: the brothers ate only one meal a day of bread with vegetables and salt, and they drank only water.  They were a silent order and their days were filled with prayer and hard manual labour and no plough was permitted to work the fields, they also kept bees and practiced a ministry of hospitality, caring for many pilgrims and travellers who needed lodgings.  David followed an even more rigorous discipline than his brother monks, as long after vespers, when others had retired to bed, he would often pray alone all through the night.

Saint David and the Synod of  Llanddewi Brefi;

Upon his return to Wales, in 545, David attended the Synod of  Llanddewi Brefi, which is perhaps the most well-known event in David's life.  Originally synods were meetings of bishops,  for the purpose of church administration in the areas of teaching (faith and morals) or governance (church discipline or law), it is thought the Synod of Brefi which was held at Llanddewi Brefi in Ceredigion was called in order to condemn Pelagianism.  The synod was reportedly attended by a thousand members and David had initially not intended to attend but Dyfrig Bishop of Ergyng (and said to be Archbishop of Wales), on the advice of St Paulinus persuaded him.  When Dyfrig addressed the crowd, so intense was their excitement, that his voice could hardly be heard, so he called on David to speak in his place and when David  stood up to speak, according to legend "the ground rose up until everyone could see and hear David, and a white dove settled upon his shoulder".   It is said that Dyfrig was so impressed in the eloquent way in which David spoke, that he resigned his Archbishopric in Davids Favour. A second synod, at which David presided was the Synod of Victory, which was summoned in 569 and supposedly defeated the Pelagian heresy in Britain.

David is buried  on the grounds of his monastery in Pembrokeshire where the Cathedral of St. David now stands.



EMBLEMS OF WALES





The leek and the daffodil.

According to legend, St David advised Welsh soldiers to wear leeks on their helmets to identify themselves during a successful battle against the Saxons in a field full of leeks. 

There is a 16th Century reference to the emblem of Wales being the leek in Mary Tudor's account book and Shakespeare refers to Fluellen as being a good countryman of Wales by wearing a leek.

The Myfddfai Physicians of Carmarthenshire used leeks as a cure for a variety of illnesses and over the years it has been for a variety of uses such as a treatment for battle wounds, a means of keeping away evil spirits and if placed under a pillow by young maidens, as a means of foretelling their future husbands as well as assisting in  easing the pains of childbirth. 

Welsh soldiers wear a leek in their caps and there is a tradition for the youngest recruit of the Welsh Guards to eat a large raw leek.

The leek is often substituted with the daffodil, probably as a result of the similarity of their names in Welsh, as the Welsh for leek is Cenhinen, while the Welsh for daffodil is Cenhinen Bedr and hence, the daffodil has become adopted as the second emblem of Wales.  


ST DAVID'S DAY - DYDD GWYL DEWI


Welsh people celebrate the life of St David on March 1st by wearing a daffodil or leek and preparing traditional Welsh dishes such as cawl and Welsh cakes. Many children also wear traditional costumes to school.  There are church services and the national flag, is displayed prominently. 

St David's Day is not a public holiday, but some communities hold parades, and in recent years there has been a St David's Day Parade in Cardiff.
  

 

 


DEATH OF GRUFFUDD AP LLYWELYN FAWR


   

On 1st March 1244, Gruffudd ap Llywelyn Fawr ( the father of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd) died in an escape attempt from the Tower of London. Dafydd ap Llywelyn wages war in the Marches against Henry III

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1198 – 1 March 1244) was the first-born son of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great). His mother Tangwystl probably died in childbirth.

1201  - As a boy, Gruffydd was handed over to King John of England as a hostage together with the sons of a great number of other Welsh princes, as a pledge for a treaty between John and Llywelyn, in which Llywelyn was confirmed as Prince of Gwynedd in return for Llywelyn swearing fealty and doing homage to John. (this is the earliest surviving written agreement between an English king and a Welsh ruler.

1212  - The other children were hanged but Gruffydd was spared and in 1215 he was finally allowed to return to Wales.

1240  - On Llywelyn's death, Gruffydd would under Welsh law have been entitled to consideration as his father's successor. Llywelyn, however, had excluded him from the succession, declaring Dafydd, his son by Joan (daughter of King John), to be the heir to the kingdom. Gruffydd objected and set about undermining Dafydd’s rule. Dafydd retaliated by imprisoning Gruffydd in Criccieth Castle.

1241  - Following a successful invasion of Wales by Henry III of England in 1241, Dafydd was obliged to hand over Gruffydd to Henry, as a bargaining tool for Dafydd's obedience. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

1244  - Gruffydd died while trying to escape when the rope he was using to scale down from his window broke.


ST DAVID'S SOCIETY FOUNDED BY WELSH IMMIGRANTS IN PHILADELPHIA


    

 

 

On 1st March 1729, Welsh immigrants established the St. David's Society of Philadelphia.

The society was set up initially to assist many of Philadelphia's early Welsh settlers with medical and financial help.  Today however it supports activities aimed at promoting Welsh heritage and culture.  It annually presents the Robert Morris Award to a distinguished Welsh-American and also awards scholarships to students of Welsh descent entering further education.  


LLANDOVERY COLLEGE OPENS IN 1848



The_college,_Llanymddyfri_NLW3361874     Llandovery-college

Llandovery College first opened on 1st March 1848.

The College was founded by surgeon Thomas Phillips, initially as a boys only school, to cultivate the education of the Welsh language, Welsh literature and history, girls were first admitted in the 1960s.  Llandovery was chosen as its location because of its accessibility from all parts of South Wales and its absence of manufacturing industries. 

 Llandovery is also known for its sporting tradition and, being present at the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in Neath in 1881.  The college provided two players in the very first Welsh international team and its second captain in Charles Lewis.  Other former pupils who have  represented Wales at rugby include Alun Wyn Jones, Cliff Jones, George North, Andy Powell and Craig Quinnell.


CARDIFF BECOMES WORLDS FIRST FAIRTRADE CAPITAL CITY



Fairtrade     Summer_on_Queen_Street_-_Cardiff_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1363923

On 1st March 2004, Cardiff became the world's first FairTrade capital city, with many of its organisations and businesses, committing to purchase FairTrade stamped goods.

FairTrade's aim is to promote sustainability in Third World countries, by helping their producers achieve better trading conditions.


BORN THIS DAY - JOHN THOMAS


Born this day 1826, in Bridgend

John Thomas, composer and harpist, who at the 1861 National Eisteddfod in Aberdare was given the title ‘Pencerdd Gwalia’ (Chief Musician of Wales).

Thomas was a professor at the Royal College of Music and also the harpist of Queen Victoria. He wrote many pieces that are still popular today and used in exam syllabuses.




BORN THIS DAY - DAVID BROOME


Born this day 1940, in Cardiff

David Broome - former World Champion showjumper.  

David Broome won three European championships, two individual Olympic bronze medals and was individual World champion in 1970. He has also won the King George V Gold Cup a record six times on six different horses, a record yet to be equalled.

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The much-debated libel case in the High Court - Jacqui Thompson v Mark James and vice versa - made it into The Times last week.

Wednesday saw The Times devote a leading article (comment) to the case.
The Times operates behind a paywall on the internet, so for the benefit of those who missed it (or don't have access rights) here is the article.
State versus Citizen
Carmarthenshire council is behaving with arrogance and defensiveness
A chunk of West Wales has decamped to the High Court in London, where it has been filling out Court 14 in an expensive libel trial, partly funded by taxpayers. It is a case that has its origins in two decisions made three years apart by Carmarthenshire council concerning Mrs Jacqui Thompson, a woman apparently as welcome to council leaders as chicken pox is to a primary school.
In 2011 Mrs Thompson, a long-term critic of the council, began to film sessions of the planning committee, using the camera on her mobile phone. Someone in officialdom decided that not only did they not enjoy this form of scrutiny, but that it should be stopped.
A council employee approached Mrs Thompson and, putting out his hand to cover her phone, asked her to desist. On another occasion the police were called. Mrs Thompson still insisted on her right to film proceedings and was arrested and taken to the police station for two hours. She was then released without charge.
The decision to prevent the filming was as perverse as the arrest. One problem that local councils do not suffer from is too much public interest in their proceedings. The subsequent attempts to discover bye-laws and problems in principle with the filming made the council look even more ridiculous. Especially since the Government had only just issued guidance for English councils encouraging them to take a welcoming approach to those who want to bring local news stories to a wider audience.
Mrs Thompson was incensed. A war of words was renewed between her and the council, in the course of which certain comments were made to councillors by the council chief executive, Mark James. Mrs Thompson decided that these comments were defamatory and brought a case for libel against Mr James.
What happened next takes us back to the other decision of Carmarthenshire council, made in 2008, to permit the authority to back its employees in actions for defamation or libel. So at the High Court Mr James is now counter-suing Mrs Thompson for supposedly libellous remarks made about him on her blog. But unlike Mrs Thompson, whose action has to be funded out of her own purse, Mr Jamess case is being supported by the funds and the personnel of Carmarthenshire Council itself.
Carmarthenshire Council is not alone. Other councils are prepared to use taxpayers money to protect their staff and officers from what they see as unfair attack. This is despite two judgments, one involving The Times and Derbyshire County Council. The Derbyshire judgment established, in effect, that the State should not sue its citizens and should not pay for its employees to do so. Last May in Cardiff, Mr Justice Beatson added that public authorities needed to possess a thicker skin and greater tolerance than ordinary members of the public in respect of what was said and written about them.
Carmarthenshire council was clearly not listening. Indeed, whatever the outcome of the case in the High Court, it should be clear that the council has in both instances acted arrogantly and defensively. It has wielded excessive official and financial power against a lone citizen and has thereby become a case study in how not to behave in an era of transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, Jacqui Thompson was also interview by the prestigious Radio 4 Today programme.
You can hear the interview on this link -
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Wales Archbishop, the Most Reverend Dr Barry Morgan, turned 16th century Presbyterian leader, John Knoxs diatribe* against the monstrous regiment of women well and truly on its head in St Davids Cathedral.
The occasion was the Commissioning Service of the Mothers' Union Province of Wales and St Davids Diocese officers.
In his eloquent address, the Archbishop pulled no punches in his effort to bring home to women the importance of their role in the Church.
He began with a graphic description of the diversity of family life in todays Wales and went on to describe the role of women in the Church as most often supportive and frequently subservient.
Using current statistics across Wales and in each Diocese, he made an impassioned plea for women to take their place in the governance of the Church in Wales.
He described sayings that women are over-represented and under-authorised as having some foundation but refuted absolutely the dogma that subordination [of women] is in the creative order of things.
He quoted Galatians 3:26 which pronounces that in Him you are all one.
The Archbishops important, unequivocal message to the many Mothers' Union members and friends present in the Cathedral was that the Church needs to look at how it uses all the talents of its members and he encouraged women to see and embrace their role in the Churchs governance.

Mothers' Union senior executive officers installed at the Cathedral during the service included were:
Mrs Ann Gill Pan-Wales Provincial President
Rev Canon Bryan Witt - Pan-Wales Provincial Chaplain
Mrs Brenda Evans St Davids Diocesan President

* Knox, John, The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women, pamphlet (1558).
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Jenkins Bakery ready for St David's Day


By Robert Lloyd, 2013-02-28




The Jenkins Bakery has released details of its St Davids Day range of products.
"There's something for everyone to enjoy at on St Davids Day, March 1" said the Jenkins Bakery's operations director Russell Jenkins.
"Our staff always enjoy producing new ideas for our patron saints day and I'm sure our customers will enjoy sampling the products we have on offer."
The range of products includes -
BARA BRITH 2.95
Bara Brith is a traditional fruit loaf made with our own rich dough containing top quality sultanas and currants with mixed peel and mixed spices. This will be packed with a decorated bow.
TEISEN LAP 3.00
Our traditional Welsh farmhouse cake which contains honey, brown sugar, mixed spices, currants and sultanas which is topped with streusel topping.

WELSH CUPCAKE 0.85
Our top quality sponge, individually decorated with fondant icing and daffodil
TEISEN LAP MINI LOAF CAKE 1.25
Made with our Teisen lap cake mix and new for 2013

WELSH PASTIE 1.20
Diced ham, smoked ham, leeks in a creamy cheese sauce encased in our hand crimped flaky pastry.
WHOLEMEAL WELSHCAKES 2.00
4 individual wholemeal Welshcakes packed with gift ribbon.
PLAIN WELSHCAKES 1.80
Four individual plain Welshcakes packed with gift ribbon.
GIFT WELSHCAKES 2.50
These are a popular seller 10 mini individual Welshcakes packed in a gift bag.
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Brynwgyn Comprehensive School pupil Tegan Andrews had her chef's hat on again on Friday to help cook lunch for 40 members of Llanelli Rotary Club at the Stradey Park Hotel.
Tegan, 13, was the winner of the first ever Young Chef competition to be staged by Llanelli Rotary Club.
Part of her 'prize' included a morning working in the kitchen of the Stradey Park Hotel with Star columnist and TV celebrity chef Anna Brown.
"I was nervous to be cooking for so many people at the Rotary Club lunch, but I was made to feel very welcome and I didn't get any complaints," said Tegan.
Tegan helped supervise a three course menu of Welsh leek and sweet potato soup; sugar crusted lamb; raspberry and Caerphilly chocolate pots.
She is pictured with Anna Brown and Llanelli Rotary Club president Alan Owen.
On Saturday (March 2), Tegan takes part in the Rotary District Final of the Young Chef competition in Builth Wells.
The Young Chef tournament is part of a national competition which offers a host of prizes, including a trip to Tuscany, a days tuition with a Michelin-star chef in the UK and a cash prize.
One of the organisers of the Llanelli heat of the competition was Rotarian Alison Evans.
She said: "Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland believes it is highly important to encourage and develop creativity in young people, and this includes creativity in the kitchen.
"Cooking among young people is a growing interest and a valuable life skill. Schools seem to agree and hence the RIBI Young Chef competition, in association with Filippo Berio, moves forward from strength to strength each year producing some superb quality cooking from our young people aged from 11 to 17."
Judges of the Llanelli competition were -
Anna Brown, celebrity chef and Llanelli Star columnist; Simon Wright, Welsh food champion, broadcaster, author and food critic; Stewart Williams, executive Head Chef at the Stradey Park Hotel and lecturer.
The competition was open to students aged 11 to 17 years.
The challenge was to prepare a three-course meal for two people in two hours, with a budget of 15.
Rotarian Mark Evans, one of the co-organisers of the event, said: "The standard was quite exceptional and the judges were full of praise for the effort, ambition and creative ingenuity of the young chefs.
"Our grateful thanks got to Bryngwyn School for hosting the event, in particular Sarah Lewis, food technology, and the headteacher Paul Jones."
The runner-up in the competition was Elyse Mowbray, 14, Bryngwyn School, who served up leek and potato soup; rolled chicken with Welsh cheese, spinach and sweet potato; poached pears in Welsh honey.
Other contestants were -
Josh Davies, 13, Bryngwyn School - tomato and basil soup; balsamic lamb with a pea purse; baked raspberry cheesecake.
Maris May Latham, 16, St John Lloyd School - asparagus wrapped in parma ham; vegetable curry; mini pavlovas.
Chloe Pride-Aylott, 12, Bryngwyn School -cheese and tomato bruschetta, salad and balsamic glaze; vegetable pot pies with home-made chips and mayonnaise; raspberry and white chocolate cheescake, fruit and raspberry sauce.
Ewa Topor, 14, Brynwgyn School - potato pancakes with strawberry jam and yoghurt; pierogi, soft dough with white cheese with vegetable salad; strawberries in jelly with cream and chocolate on top.
R.I.B.I.Young Chef is designed to encourage young people to:
Develop cookery skills
Develop food presentation skills
Consider healthy eating options and food hygiene issues
Prove their organisational and planning skills
Prove their ability to cope in a demanding situation.
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Cor Meibion Llanelli is celebrating St Davids Day by releasing a new battle hymn for the British and Irish Lions summer tour of Australia.
The song Lions To A Man, to the tune of Men of Harlech, has been written by former soldier Ollie Ward, of Swansea, and has been described as a stirring rendition of one of Wales iconic songs.
The song is being officially launched at Parc y Scarlets during the Scarlets versus Edinburgh match on St Davids Day and will be available on YouTube on the internet and for downloads on the iTunes and Android platforms on computers and mobile phones.
Men of Harlech is traditionally a popular military march often heard during military parades, especially by regiments historically associated with Wales. It has featured in numerous Hollywood films such as How Green Was My Valley, The Corn Is Green, and the Englishman Who Went Up a Hill And Came Down a Mountain.
But Men of Harlech is best known for the stirring rendition by Ivor Emmanuel in the 1964 classic film Zulu, when his character rallies a handful of men of the South Wales Borderers in their valiant stand against the thousands of Zulu warriors at Rorkes Drift
Now, Llanelli Male Choirs version of Lions To A Man is set to go global and its hoped the Lions squad and the thousands of rugby fans who will be going Down Under with them will adopt it as their official battle hymn......"The Lions Will Not Yield".
The song has already been given backing by Scarlets, Wales, and British Lions legends Phil Bennett and Delme Thomas, who were present when the choir recorded the song.
The words of the song come from a poem written by Mr Ward, who served in the Lifeguards Household Cavalry for 12 years, and has taken part in ceremonial duties for the Queen as well soldiering with tours of duty in Northern Ireland and Cyprus.
I set it out as a poem, basically of me giving a team talk to the Lions before a match. Then I realised the words would fit to the tune of Men of Harlech and its just taken off from there. The choir has done a fantastic job and I think the song is a stirring battle hymn for the Lions Down Under. I would also like to thank Mr Peter Williams and his team at the School of Digital Media at Swansea Metropolitan University for their invaluable help in recording and producing the song said Mr Ward.
The song will be played during half time at the Scarlets Pro12 match with edinburgh and Mr Ward will officially present copies to the Scarlets legends and Cor Meibion Llanellis director of music Mr Eifion Thomas.
All proceeds from the sale of the downloads of the tune will be donated to charity.
Pictures: S4C's Heno programme at a recording session for the new song. Ollie Ward with rugby legends Phil Bennett and Delme Thomas.
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Cor Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) will be performing at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne on Saturday afternoon.

The choir will be performing from 2pm inside the Great Glasshouse. The concert is free.
On St David's Day, Friday, the choir will be giving a concert at the Coleg Sir Gar Graig campus in Llanelli at 12noon.
Cor Meibion Llanelli secretary Fred Elias said: "We thought we'd try something different to a normal St David's Day concert this year. The choir is keen to get involved in all sections of the community, young and old. We are looking forward to performing before the students of Coleg Sir Gar and the visitors to the Botanic Gardens. Performing in the Great Glasshouse at the Botanic is going to be a first for the choir."
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Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen and Haverfordwest are staging an unique opportunity to sing, dance and act with Kylie Minogue and Justin Timberlakes choreographer
The summer workshop day is a one-off opportunity to learn from Tim Noble, a former mentor and choreographer on the Pop Idol and X-Factor TV series.
Theres something of a Wow factor; about this workshop as Tim Noble has a brilliant reputation working with superstars like Kylie Minogue and Justin Timberlake, said Liane Davies, principal of the Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools in Carmarthen and Haverfordwest.
Its a very special workshop and will be the highlight of the summer holidays for many of our pupils. It promises to be the experience of a lifetime for many.
Young performers aged between seven and 16 are invited to join the Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen and Haverfordwest West Wales workshop on Tuesday, August 13.
With no previous experience necessary, children and teenagers of all abilities will get the chance to perform with Choreographer for the Stars Tim Noble.
Tim will be joined by a specialist team, including top musical director Daniel Thomas, who has a wealth of experience working with Westlife, Leona Lewis, Elton John, Puff Daddy, Will Young and Cheryl Cole.
Casting Director Leoni Kibbey will also be part of the team which will create a one day extravaganza of singing, dancing and acting on camera. The day will culminate in a fun performance to family and friends.
The exclusive event is one of a series of workshops created and presented by Tim Noble and his acclaimed company Pure Star Productions, which is now touring the UK.
All workshops are being hosted by Stagecoach Theatre Arts, Britains largest part-time performing arts schools network, responsible for nurturing and spring boarding young talent such as Jamie Bell, Emma Watson and Cher Lloyd.
Participating students will experience MTV style music video dance classes, X-Factor style pop choir sessions and scripted television casting session with advice and feedback from casting director all in one day.
Places are strictly limited. To book, call Liane on 0845 604 1422.

Workshop information:
When: Tuesday 13th August 2013
Where: Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthen Time: 10am till 6pm
Cost: 40 per student

About Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen and Haverfordwest
Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen and Haverfordwest has its base at the Queen Elizabeth High School, Johnstown, Carmarthen. It is soon to open in Haverfordwest.
The school opened in May 2009 and became an instant success. The school now attracts students from the three counties of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.
In recent years, Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen has staged the musicals Billy Elliot, Oliver and Annie.
Liane added: Our aim is always to nurture and develop four to 18-year-olds to fulfil their potential through dance, drama and singing.
Its not all about treading the boards on stage. Early stages classes focus on allowing the children to express themselves, while at the same time building up confidence, poise and self-esteem. Above all, we make sure the experience is fun! The children love it.
To find out more about Stagecoach Carmarthen, contact Principal Liane Davies, phone: 0845 604 1422. Email - carmarthen@stagecoach.co.uk .
Weblinks:
Website - http://www.stagecoach.co.uk/carmarthen
On Facebook search for Liane Stagecoach or Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen and Haverfordwest
On Twitter, find us @StagecoachCarms

Pictures attached: Tim Noble with Kylie Minogue and the poster for the event.
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The Burry Port Town Band held their second youth music event at the Memorial Hall, Burry Port.
The West Wales Brass Festival saw an encouraging field of entries, which doubled from last year's event.
There was an exceptional group of adjudicators lined up for the day - Mr Alan Bourne, Mr Matthew Jenkins to adjudicate the solo, duet and trio classes; Mr Tom Davoren and Mr Nigel Seaman to adjudicate the Ensembles and Youth Band sections.
It meant that all the entrants received two sets of encouraging and supportive feedback on their performances.
Tom said: "It was a real pleasure coming back to Burry Port to adjudicate this event again this year and it is totally heartening to see Burry Port Town Band looking outside the tempting boundaries of self-preservation to benefit brass playing of all levels throughout West Wales. The day was both fun-filled and musically exciting and I cant wait to come back next year!
Graham Howe, the band's chairman commented; "We were very lucky with support from the Burry Port and Pembrey Town Council, Ty Cerdd, Treveda Music and parents of the performers all supporting the event. Thanks also to Jenkins Photography who captured many memories for the young players involved. It was especially pleasing to see not only the young players performing, but all young conductors being given opportunities too - something we will try to encourage more of for future events."
Geraint Thomas, the festival coordinator, added: "Preparations for next years event have already started, with a provisional date either at the end of January or the beginning of February being proposed and will also include percussion sections in addition to this years classes. We look forward to sending out invitations towards the end of the summer for this event."
Full results
Solo 10 and under
Carys Lewis - Gold
Dino Callegari - Gold
Emily Lewis - Gold
Alice Tracey - Silver
Amy Tomkins - Silver
Ellie Carlsen - Silver
Eloise Denny - Silver
Emma Evans - Silver
Iestyn Allen - Silver
Cari Jones - Bronze
Gruff Weston - Bronze
Iwan Hill - Bronze
Jessica Lewis - Bronze
Solo 12 and under
Peredur Morgan - Gold
Harry McBryde - Silver
Katie Hill - Silver
Ieuan Duck - Bronze
Solo 14 and under
Charlotte Lewis - Gold
Jessica Berry - Silver
Kate Phillips - Bronze
Solo 16 and under
Meleri Mai Pryse - Gold
Omri Tau - Silver
Owen Harries - Silver
Solo 18 and under
Emily Humphreys - Gold
Solo Open
Andrea Lewis - Gold
Emily Humphreys - Gold
Pete Greenwood - Silver
Ceri Parry Morgan - Bronze
Youth Band 19 and under
Aberystwyth Youth Band - Gold
Youth Band 21 and under
Goodwick Brass - Gold
Duet & Trio 14 & Under
Aberystwyth Trio - Gold
Penclawdd Euph & Horn Duet - Silver
Emma Evans & Gruff Weston - Silver
Penclawdd Cornet Duet - Bronze
Penclawdd Tuba Duet - Highly Commended
Duet & Trio Open
Charlotte & Andrea Lewis - Gold
Small Ensemble 14 and under
Aberystwyth Tots - Gold
Aberystwyth Saturn - Silver
Aberystwyth Jupiter - Bronze
Penclawdd Quartet - Highly Commended
Small Ensemble 19 and under
Aberystwyth Venus - Gold
Small Ensemble Open
Quadruple Brass - Gold
Burry Port IV - Gold
Large Ensemble 14 and under
Burry Port Youth Band - Gold
Aberystwyth Tots Large Ensemble - Silver
Rhondda Cynon Taf Junior Brass Ensemble - Bronze
Penclawdd Youth Band - Highly Commended
Large Ensemble 19 and under
Aberystwyth Mercury Large Ensemble - Gold
Trevada Music Cup for the most Promising Youth Band
Goodwick Brass
Ted Mayb Memorial Cup for the most Promising Youth Ensemble
Burry Port Youth Band
Trevada Music Award for the most promising Youth Player (12 and Under)
Certificate and 25 Voucher to spend at Trevada Music
Charlotte Lewis
Tim Bourne Memorial Award for the most promising Youth Player (16 and Under)
Certificate and a lesson organised with an imminent player of the award winners instrument.
Meleri Mai Pryse
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A ground-breaking theatre performance group will be opening its doors in Llanelli on Tuesday, March 12.
Called InterAct, the group will give disadvantaged youngsters and children with learning difficulties the chance to enjoy drama, dance and singing workshops.
It really is an innovative venture designed to help children into theatre-based activities, said Liane Davies (pictured above), one of the co-founders of the Llanelli venture.
InterAct is gradually developing in other parts of the UK, but this will be the very first InterAct group in Wales, right here in Llanelli.
And its going to be based at the brand new state-of-the-art Y Ffwrnes theatre in Llanelli.
The foundation stones for InterAct have been laid by the Stagecoach Charitable Trust, a wing of the hugely-successful Stagecoach theatre arts group.
Liane runs Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen and Haverfordwest and will be the managing teacher of InterAct Llanelli after establishing the group with a colleague from Pontypridd.
Liane added: I cannot wait to be the managing teacher of InterAct Llanelli.
But I have to keep myself in check. For example, lets ban the word cant, and explore the word can because that is what InterAct is going to be about. We will provide disadvantaged children and young people with skills for life through drama, music and movement workshops.
Anyone aged between 10 and 18 is welcome to explore acting, singing and dancing. InterAct includes young people with special physical, educational and financial needs.
Recently in Stagecoach Carmarthen and Haverfordwest we held a fund-raising Parents Do Stagecoach event, during which parents raised 650 towards the opening of the new school.
My grateful thanks go to everyone who took part and helped. The money raised will make a big difference to a childs life.
Liane went on: Our InterAct Mission Statement reads -
We believe that every child and young person has their own potential that, if they can realise it, will improve the quality of their lives and the lives of those around them. We believe that in order to unlock this potential, children and young people need to develop key life skills of confidence, self esteem, self-expression and shared experience.
We believe that the most powerful way to do this is through the life enhancing skills of performing arts. We recognise that there are many barriers that prevent people from achieving their full potential in life; in particular the lack of access to opportunities for learning and personal development whether caused by poverty, ethnicity, fear, adverse circumstances, prejudice, poor health, disability and personal circumstances. We call this group of children and young people disadvantaged.
We aim to involve as many disadvantaged children and young people between 10 and 18 in our performing arts workshops. We aim to have a workshop in every region of the UK, over time.
The Stagecoach Charitable Trust is a nationwide charity (Registered Charity number 1081561). The trust was created to advance the benefit of acting, singing and dancing for all.
Often children and parents can be dissuaded from joining a mainstream group because they cannot afford the fees, because the group doesn't cater for special needs or because they fear being different from the majority of people within the group.
The most significant difference in the InterAct programme from the point of view of the students is its total inclusivity. Not only do the students work together, in one area, for the whole time, so too all teachers and helpers, including the nurse, are encouraged to join in. So the company of actors consists of teachers, helpers, mainstream students and students with a variety of special educational, social and economic needs.
At InterAct, young people are offered the chance to experience the three disciplines of acting, singing and dancing not only from a technique point of view, but from the socialising point of view as well. One of the most crucial aspects of InterAct is the aim to bring together groups of people from all backgrounds, to have fun.
You can find out more about InterAct Llanelli by contacting Liane Davies, phone: 0845 604 1422.

About Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen and Haverfordwest
Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen and Haverfordwest has its base at the Queen Elizabeth High School, Johnstown, Carmarthen. It is soon to open in Haverfordwest.
The school opened in May 2009 and became an instant success. The school now attracts students from the three counties of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.
In recent years, Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen has staged the musicals Billy Elliot, Oliver and Annie.
Liane added: Our aim is always to nurture and develop four to 18-year-olds to fulfil their potential through dance, drama and singing.
Its not all about treading the boards on stage. Early stages classes focus on allowing the children to express themselves, while at the same time building up confidence, poise and self-esteem. Above all, we make sure the experience is fun! The children love it.
To find out more about Stagecoach Carmarthen, contact Principal Liane Davies, phone: 0845 604 1422. Email - carmarthen@stagecoach.co.uk .

Weblinks:
Website - http://www.stagecoach.co.uk/carmarthen
On Facebook search for Liane Stagecoach or Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen and Haverfordwest
On Twitter, find us @StagecoachCarms
To find out more about how InterAct works, take a look at this video clip - http://www.stagecoach.tv/video/interact-full-version/
There is a JustGiving page for those who want to support the InterAct project - http://www.justgiving.com/interact/Raisemoney
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