Latest news with #WelshCulture
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Daffodils mark 160 years of Welsh settlers in Patagonia
The descendants of Welsh immigrants who set sail to Argentina 160 years ago have planted 1,500 daffodils as a nod to their roots. About 150 immigrants travelled to Patagonia on a converted tea clipper ship from Liverpool to Puerto Madryn in 1865, a journey that took two months. They had set out to create a new colony where they could preserve their culture, language, and Protestant nonconformist religion, free from English influence. They established their own Welsh-speaking communities in Patagonia, a barren and inhospitable place at the time, and the language is still spoken in the area now. David Mardones, who helped to plant the bulbs, said it would help them to "reinforce Welsh culture" in the area. The idea came from David's aunt Peca Jones, a relative of the first Welsh settlers to arrive. It was funded by Welsh artists, Wrexham supporters groups and previous visitors to the area. The daffodil field will be located in the Trevelin area on Route 17 near Nant y Fall. David said the project had only been possible thanks to "all the Welsh people who united" behind it. It took two days for the three of them to plant the bulbs. "We didn't have any sort of machines or anything," said David. "Just a spade to dig these long trenches." The bulbs are set to bloom in October, at the start of the Argentinian spring. David has planned an official opening ceremony to commemorate the 160th anniversary with relatives of the Welsh settlers invited, along with the community and the local tourism secretary. "It's going to be a big event to thank everyone for the love and support for the project," said David. He added there were plans to plant more bulbs next year. "Hopefully we'll have a drilling machine by then because my back would thank me for it," he said. It is also hoped that the project will attract visitors when the daffodils bloom in October. Gwion Elis-Williams, who moved to Patagonia from Wales in 2016, said: "Hotels are booked up for miles around. "I'm sure we will see Welsh tourists visiting and coming to see the daffodils." Gwion and his partner Nia, who works at a local Welsh school, have seen the area grow dramatically over the years. "It's an up-and-coming sort of destination in terms of attracting visitors," he said. "Since we've been here, Trevelin has doubled in size in terms of population." Gwion said it was wonderful to meet people who are "enormously proud" of their Welsh heritage. Any bulbs not used were donated to Nia's school - Ysgol Y Com - where they will planted by the children. The daffodils, a symbol of identity and rebirth in Wales, are part of an initiative to highlight the cultural connection between the two regions. Pete Howell, who organised the fundraiser, said it was "important" for people to understand the link. "It's amazing to think the people went over all those years ago," he said. His job was to "get the ball rolling" to make sure they had enough bulbs. "Some of the donations were amazing. We were getting money from all over the place," he added. But the project would have gone nowhere without David's infection enthusiasm, according to Pete. "He was so willing to get going," he said. "If you get something in his head it's all systems go." Pete said he would love to go and visit the area in the future to witness the fruits of his labour. "To see that field full of daffodils. What a story that would be." "I'll try and save some pennies for it." More than 10,000 daffodils to be shown at festival Welsh settlers' moral Patagonia approach Hunt for rare daffodils that are feared lost
BBC News
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Patagonia: Daffodils planted to mark Welsh settlers' anniversary
The descendants of Welsh immigrants who set sail to Argentina 160 years ago have planted 1,500 daffodils as a nod to their 150 immigrants travelled to Patagonia on a converted tea clipper ship from Liverpool to Puerto Madryn in 1865, a journey that took two had set out to create a new colony where they could preserve their culture, language, and Protestant nonconformist religion, free from English established their own Welsh-speaking communities in Patagonia, a barren and inhospitable place at the time, and the language is still spoken in the area now. David Mardones, who helped to plant the bulbs, said it would help them to "reinforce Welsh culture" in the area. The idea came from David's aunt Peca Jones, a relative of the first Welsh settlers to was funded by Welsh artists, Wrexham supporters groups and previous visitors to the daffodil field will be located in the Trevelin area on Route 17 near Nant y said the project had only been possible thanks to "all the Welsh people who united" behind it. It took two days for the three of them to plant the bulbs."We didn't have any sort of machines or anything," said David."Just a spade to dig these long trenches."The bulbs are set to bloom in October, at the start of the Argentinian has planned an official opening ceremony to commemorate the 160th anniversary with relatives of the Welsh settlers invited, along with the community and the local tourism secretary."It's going to be a big event to thank everyone for the love and support for the project," said added there were plans to plant more bulbs next year."Hopefully we'll have a drilling machine by then because my back would thank me for it," he said. It is also hoped that the project will attract visitors when the daffodils bloom in Elis-Williams, who moved to Patagonia from Wales in 2016, said: "Hotels are booked up for miles around."I'm sure we will see Welsh tourists visiting and coming to see the daffodils."Gwion and his partner Nia, who works at a local Welsh school, have seen the area grow dramatically over the years."It's an up-and-coming sort of destination in terms of attracting visitors," he said."Since we've been here, Trevelin has doubled in size in terms of population."Gwion said it was wonderful to meet people who are "enormously proud" of their Welsh bulbs not used were donated to Nia's school - Ysgol Y Com - where they will planted by the children. The daffodils, a symbol of identity and rebirth in Wales, are part of an initiative to highlight the cultural connection between the two Howell, who organised the fundraiser, said it was "important" for people to understand the link."It's amazing to think the people went over all those years ago," he job was to "get the ball rolling" to make sure they had enough bulbs."Some of the donations were amazing. We were getting money from all over the place," he added. But the project would have gone nowhere without David's infection enthusiasm, according to Pete."He was so willing to get going," he said."If you get something in his head it's all systems go."Pete said he would love to go and visit the area in the future to witness the fruits of his labour."To see that field full of daffodils. What a story that would be.""I'll try and save some pennies for it."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Daffodils mark 160 years of Welsh settlers in Patagonia
The descendants of Welsh immigrants who set sail to Argentina 160 years ago have planted 1,500 daffodils as a nod to their roots. About 150 immigrants travelled to Patagonia on a converted tea clipper ship from Liverpool to Puerto Madryn in 1865, a journey that took two months. They had set out to create a new colony where they could preserve their culture, language, and Protestant nonconformist religion, free from English influence. They established their own Welsh-speaking communities in Patagonia, a barren and inhospitable place at the time, and the language is still spoken in the area now. David Mardones, who helped to plant the bulbs, said it would help them to "reinforce Welsh culture" in the area. The idea came from David's aunt Peca Jones, a relative of the first Welsh settlers to arrive. It was funded by Welsh artists, Wrexham supporters groups and previous visitors to the area. The daffodil field will be located in the Trevelin area on Route 17 near Nant y Fall. David said the project had only been possible thanks to "all the Welsh people who united" behind it. It took two days for the three of them to plant the bulbs. "We didn't have any sort of machines or anything," said David. "Just a spade to dig these long trenches." The bulbs are set to bloom in October, at the start of the Argentinian spring. David has planned an official opening ceremony to commemorate the 160th anniversary with relatives of the Welsh settlers invited, along with the community and the local tourism secretary. "It's going to be a big event to thank everyone for the love and support for the project," said David. He added there were plans to plant more bulbs next year. "Hopefully we'll have a drilling machine by then because my back would thank me for it," he said. It is also hoped that the project will attract visitors when the daffodils bloom in October. Gwion Elis-Williams, who moved to Patagonia from Wales in 2016, said: "Hotels are booked up for miles around. "I'm sure we will see Welsh tourists visiting and coming to see the daffodils." Gwion and his partner Nia, who works at a local Welsh school, have seen the area grow dramatically over the years. "It's an up-and-coming sort of destination in terms of attracting visitors," he said. "Since we've been here, Trevelin has doubled in size in terms of population." Gwion said it was wonderful to meet people who are "enormously proud" of their Welsh heritage. Any bulbs not used were donated to Nia's school - Ysgol Y Com - where they will planted by the children. The daffodils, a symbol of identity and rebirth in Wales, are part of an initiative to highlight the cultural connection between the two regions. Pete Howell, who organised the fundraiser, said it was "important" for people to understand the link. "It's amazing to think the people went over all those years ago," he said. His job was to "get the ball rolling" to make sure they had enough bulbs. "Some of the donations were amazing. We were getting money from all over the place," he added. But the project would have gone nowhere without David's infection enthusiasm, according to Pete. "He was so willing to get going," he said. "If you get something in his head it's all systems go." Pete said he would love to go and visit the area in the future to witness the fruits of his labour. "To see that field full of daffodils. What a story that would be." "I'll try and save some pennies for it." More than 10,000 daffodils to be shown at festival Welsh settlers' moral Patagonia approach Hunt for rare daffodils that are feared lost
The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Fans to join family and friends of musician Mike Peters at his funeral in Wales
Friends, family and fans of musician Mike Peters, who died at the age of 66, are expected to gather in Wales for his funeral on Thursday. The rock star, who was frontman of Welsh band The Alarm, died on April 29 from blood cancer, more than 30 years after he was first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) at the age of 36. More than 150 guests, some who have travelled from the US, will attend the funeral service in the village of Dyserth alongside Peters' wife Jules, 58, and their sons Dylan, 21, and Evan, 18. Dylan and Evan are expected to carry a casket containing their father's ashes to the Parish Church of St Bridget and St Cwyfan for the service, which will feature readings and musical performances. Peters' sons are expected to play guitar as those in attendance since Stand By Me, before Welsh TV presenter and opera singer Rhys Meirion, who is himself being treated for cancer, performs Anfonaf Angel. There will also be performances of Wonderwall, by Evan, and Fade In Fade Out Fade Away by Peters' longtime friend and collaborator Billy Duffy of The Cult. Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth will speak of Peters' contributions to Welsh culture, and Welsh singer and campaigner Dafydd Iwan will perform Yma o Hyd. The service is expected to be broadcast on a big screen outside the church for fans who are planning to attend. In a statement, Jules Peters said: 'Mike lived as he sang – with passion, courage, and an unshakeable belief in the power of people to make a difference. His voice may be still, but his message and music will never fade. 'Mike was so grateful for the love so many people showed him in his lifetime, and we are so grateful for the outpouring of love our family has received in the past few weeks since he died. 'Mike's music will keep us strong, and the community he built for all of us will sustain us. 'Today is a sad day, but it's also a celebration of his life and the legacy he created. Mike is very much here in spirit.' Reverend Gregor Lachlann-Waddell, the vicar at the Parish Church of St Bridget and St Cwyfan, said it was an 'honour and a privilege' to lead the service in the village 'Mike loved so much'. He said: 'The celebration we have carefully curated befits a man whose life was marked by music, resilience, and unwavering hope. 'While staying true to his Welsh roots, Mike found global fame, and the people who have come to celebrate his life today, many travelling thousands of miles, are reflective of the remarkable life he carved for himself and his family.' Peters, who supported U2 and Status Quo on tour and played with Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, underwent numerous drug treatments and rounds of chemotherapy, and had tried experimental therapy to keep his cancer at bay. Last year, five days before he was due to fly to Chicago for a 50-date US tour, he noticed that a lump in his neck had appeared overnight and doctors quickly realised the star had developed Richter's syndrome, where CLL changes into a much more aggressive lymphoma. He had been undergoing treatment at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester before his death. The artist first rose to prominence in the early 1980s with The Alarm, with hits including 68 Guns and Strength. He was made an MBE in 2019 for voluntary services to cancer care in north Wales and abroad. Alongside his wife, he co-founded Love Hope Strength, a cancer charity to encourage action around stem cell donation. Through its Get On The List campaigns, often publicised at rock concerts, the charity has added more than 250,000 people to stem cell registers worldwide.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025 boosts town hit by mass job losses
The Urdd Eisteddfod is bringing a much-needed boost this year to an area that has been hit hard by job losses at the country's biggest steelworks, organisers have largest youth festival takes place this week in Margam Park near Port Talbot, where the closure of the blast furnaces last year at Tata Steel led to 2,800 redundancies and uncertainty for the local Walker Hunt, a former steel worker who was made redundant along with many of his friends, said the layoffs were "devastating".He switched careers to set up his own business selling coffee and said he was "so proud" of the way he had turned his fortunes around, with a location at this year's Eisteddfod. "A lot of people thought I wouldn't be able to do this," Mr Hunt said."I've got a location in the shopping centre and I'm here as well, my first ever festival," he added, speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast at Eisteddfod yr festival celebrating the Welsh language and Welsh culture is held in a different location every year, allowing it to come to towns which need a positive force to put their energy in, director of the arts for the Urdd Llio Maddocks said."It has been a tough time, hasn't it? Port Talbot has been in the headlines for lots of the wrong reasons," she said. "What we're hearing from our volunteers and young people is that they manage to channel their positive energy now and come together to celebrate the fact that they have a unique history, culture, heritage," Ms Maddocks said."It gives them that platform to show what this area is all about," she added. The Eisteddfod will see 37 new English-medium schools from the Neath Port Talbot area participate this year, showing there is appetite to learn Welsh in an area not traditionally considered Welsh-speaking, Ms Maddocks chief executive Sian Lewis said money should not be a barrier to learning Welsh, and that the organisation was actively reaching out to a new audience of Welsh learners and people in areas of deprivation. Among the Welsh learners who have attended the festival so far is Ruby Davies from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, who captured hearts last year when she won the individual recitation Welsh learners category for years 5 and 6 in the Tuesday, she told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast the past year had been "so busy" and "excellent"."I got to meet the Prince of Wales in my school and I got to do my poem for him," she said Prince William had told her she was a "one-man band"."Quite a lot of people have recognised me throughout the year," Ruby said she had since learnt the Welsh phrases she did not understand in the viral interview she gave after winning last year. "I know what they mean now!" she said, adding "llongyfarchiadau", Welsh for congratulations, to all the people who had made it to the final this year.
