Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to eveyone who has followed our blog and supported our project - thankyou!

 

There were good intentions yesterday to go for a New Year walk from Mynyddbach but the weather got the better of us.  However, despite that we had a very successful morning with new faces turning up to find out more about the new and exciting Calon Lan Centre.  There was a slide show giving information about the history of Mynyddbach, a look around the Chapel and a muddy visit to the grave of Daniel James.  Then it was cawl, bara brith and pizza - but not necessarily in that order!  Thank you to everyone that came and also to those who gave their time and made the morning a success.

Calon Lan Centre

There are a number of activites planned at Mynyddbach in the forthcoming months.  Two of which are in the planning stage at the moment are a Candlelit Carol Service and a New Year's Day walk.  The friends of Mynyddbach are working very hard, raising the profile of the Calon Lan Centre, so watch this space for news of what is happening!

Project Update

Well, the DVD has been produced and the school packs written - what next? 

Copies of the DVD and pack have been distributed to some schools and libraries and also deposited in Swansea University Library, West Glamorgan archives and the National Library.  Online links to for you to investigate below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjbxUE_3VQI
‎

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5cbn-HW8Bo&feature=youtu.be

 

As well as writing the school packs, Bev and I have built on this information to develop a presentation on the life of Daniel James.  This is currently an evolving and ongoing project and next spring Bev and I will be in the throes of writing for publication - so we are not finished yet!

Last word on Cardiff Half Marathon

Just to say big thankyou to all who sponsored me for running the Cardiff Half Marathon.  I raised £370 for Calon Lan Centre at Mynyddbach.

Presenting the cheque to Rev. Grenville Fisher

Success at the Cardiff Half Marathon

Had a great time yesterday at the Cardiff Half Marathon and achieved my goal of running under 2 hours 15 minutes - I did it in 2 hours and thirteen minutes!  There was a fantastic atmosphere all around the course with people cheering and supporting plus entertainment on route - although obviously could not stop and enjoy it!  Here are some photographs of the day.



I am in there somewhere.



Back home with my well
 earned t-shirt and medal   

Proud mum and proud son at the end!

 

 

There is still time to sponsor if you have not already done so.  To remind you - I have been raising money for the Calon Lan Centre which has been established by the Friends of Mynyddbach.  The Centre is now being used by local community groups on a regular basis but there is still a lot of hard work to be done in this venture.  All funds raised will go directly to Calon Lan Centre.

 

You can donate via the donation button on this blog (it will be active until the end of October) or by sending a donation directly to Mrs. Geinor Tremewan, Treasurer Friends of Mynyddbach Chapel, C/o Mynyddbach Chapel House, Mynyddbach, Swansea SA5 7HT. Cheques should be made payable to Friends of Mynyddbach Chapel

Cardiff Half Marathon and Calon Lan Centre

I am running in the Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday October 6.  This is not something I have done on a whim and have been training for it!!!  I am very much looking forward to the event and last look at the Cardiff Half Marathon website said there were over 17,000 people taking part - so I will not be lonely!

As part of my efforts I am raising some funds for the Calon Lan Centre at Mynyddbach Chapel.  As you know this is where Daniel James is buried and is a significant location for the Daniel James Project.

The Friends of Mynyddbach are working very hard establishing the Calon Lan Centre which is now being used by local community groups on a regular basis.  However there is still a significant amount of work that needs to be done in refurbishment of the building and clearance of the overgrown cemetry. 

If you would like to sponsor me for my efforts in Cardiff we would be delighted and very happy to receive your donations.  All funds raised will go directly to the Calon Lan Centre.  There are a couple of ways to donate: 

• via the donation button on this blog (a big thankyou to Sean Morgan for sorting this out for me)
•  Send your donation directly to Mrs. Geinor Tremewan, Treasurer Friends of Mynyddbach Chapel, C/o Mynyddbach Chapel House, Mynyddbach, Swansea SA5 7HT Cheques should be made payable to Friends of Mynyddbach Chapel

Your support is much appreciated and I will post some more flattering pictures in the next couple of weeks!

 

 

 



Update

Things have been fairly quiet of late but preparations are almost there for the Waterfront Museum Launch on 20 September.  Also, going on in the background is the preparation of the information packs to go with the DVD. 

On a slightly different note - I am running the Cardiff Half Marathon on October 6 and raising funds for the Calon Lan Centre at Mynyddbach.  Yes - I have been training for this event and am looking forward to it!  I am in the process of setting up an online donation link and would be extremely happy if you would sponsor me.  I will post up more information about this as soon as it is ready.

Behind the scenes

Not unlike the animation a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to create an item for broadcast.

These are some of the scenes that did not make it to the big screen!



And ACTION, who are these guys?



Not sure what is going on here but they are obviously not listening!

















 

OK - it is us, but looking pretty mischievous I think!

     

 




Bev doing her interview, Teresa trying to blend into the background

                                                  

Bev, where are you when I need you?

 

Special thanks to Ivor Williams, official photographer!

 

And, not to forget - this is who it is all about.

 

 

 

 

 

 



News update!

If you are coming to Mynyddbach on Wednesday 10 July then put a reminder in your diary to catch up or record Wales Today on BBC Wales on that day.  There will be a small feature on our project which is a fantastic opportunity for us.  A big thankyou to Cemlyn Davies and his camera man, Jamie Owen and BBC Wales.  All of the project team really appreciate your interest and Bev and I enjoyed the experience!

Wednesday 10 July 'Film Premiere'

Wednesday evening in Mynyddbach Chapel will be the Premiere of the animation that has been produced on the life of Daniel James. The programme of events will be as follows:

1.  Croeso/Welcome – Parch/Rev Grenville Fisher
2.  Dirpwy Arglwydd Faer Abertawe/Deputy Lord Mayor of Swansea: Cyng./Councillor. Mrs. Ceinwen Thomas
 3.  Calon Lân
 4.  Perfformiadau gan blant / Performances by children of:
Ysgol Gyfun Bryn Tawe Comprehensive School
Ysgol Gynradd Tirdeunaw Primary School
Ysgol Gynradd Gwyrosydd Primary School
 5.  Cân / Song – Ble Mae’r Amen - Ysgol Gyfun Bryn Tawe Comprehensive School
 6. Cyflwyniad gan fyfyrwyr ymchwil Prifysgol Abertawe / Presentation by Swansea University   student researchers: Beverley Rogers, Teresa Hillier, Catrin Haines- Davies gyda chyflwyniad gan / with introduction by: Kate Spiller, Cydlynydd Prosiectau Cymunedau Cysylltiedig /Connected Communities Project Co-ordinator, Prifysgol Abertawe / Swansea University
7.  Nick Price, Cwmni animeiddio Turnip Starfish animation company
8.  Dangosiad cyntaf o’r ffilm animeiddiedig am fywyd Daniel James / Premiere of the animated film on the life of Daniel James.
9.   Parch/Rev. Grenville Fisher
10. Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
11. Lluniaeth / Refreshments

We look forward to seeing you in the Chapel

'News' round up!

Upcoming events include:

• Report on progress of oral hisories
• Translation of some of Daniel James's poems
• A feature on Mynyddbach Chapel
• July 10 - viewing of animation at Mynyddbach Chapel
• Information on the exhibition at the Waterfront Museum in September

Animation Workshop

The animation company Turnip Starfish http://turnipstarfish.com/  has recently made visits to the three schools involved in the project - Tirdeunaw, Bryn Tawe and Gwyrosydd.  Nick and his team, along with the children, have been working really hard in bring the story of Daniel James to life.  I was lucky enough to pop into Gwyrosydd School on 10 May to see 'work in progress'.

It was a hive of activity, the children enthusiastically setting up scenes to be animated with the Turnip Starfish team guiding and advising along the way.   The atmosphere was full of excitment as clips were viewed and it was a fantastic opportunity for the children to work as a team, using their own artwork to create a film.  It was enjoyable observing their actions as they devloped an understanding of the technical skills needed in the creative industry.

There is still quite a bit of work to do as Nick and his colleagues have to cut and edit  the output and record the music and voices to the film.  They are going to visit Bryn Tawe again in order to record the soundtrack and to complete this part of the work.

I am sure that all of the children have enjoyed the experience.  They will be part of the audience on July 10 at Mynyddbach Chapel to view the finished work!

Lesson on Mynyddbach Chapel

Nice article in the Evening Post on Saturday (9th) regarding pupils from Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tirdeunaw.  They have been finding out about the history of Mynyddbach Chapel and have visited the West Glamorgan Archive Service for information.

Great to see interest in this wonderful Chapel receiving newsprint again!

Animation Progress

We met with Nick and the animation team at Mynyddbach Chapel on Friday.  Despite bone chilling temperatures, we soon had the chapel warm and welcoming and the meeting went really well.

The Daniel James Project team spent an enjoyable two hours chatting through Daniel's life to enable the animation team to put together a storyboard for the film.  Although we can't get every piece of research into the animation (that would take many many hours of viewing!!!), we have all highlighted the important aspects that should be covered and which will be really interesting to watch.

Cymanfa Ganu - a night to remember!

The Cymanfa Ganu was a roaring success!  The pews of the chapel were full and the congregation was in good voice, led by Huw Rees who proved to be an entertaining conductor!  A fitting tribute to Daniel James and the Mynyddbach Chapel was given by Huw Tregelles Williams.  The chapel organ, played by organist Reverend Grenville Fisher, and accompanied by Adam Croucher,  was rousing in the amazing acoustics of the room and the vocal contribution of Gwyrosydd School and Bryn Tawe School was beautiful.

Teresa and myself gave a small speech outlining the project's aims, research and future plans.

Having never been to a Cymanfa Ganu before, I was uncertain what to expect.  What I did discover  was that of a truly beautiful experience.  To be part of such a celebration of song where the whole congregation came together in a relaxed and fun way was a pleasure to be involved with.  Thank you to all that attended!

Reverend Grenville Fisher, Huw Tregelles Williams, Huw Rees, Teresa Hillier, Bev Rogers & Kate Spiller 

Gwyrosydd's Chair



Teresa and Ivor giving a perspective on
 the height of Gwyrosydd's chair

One of Daniel James’s favourite haunts was the King’s Head Public House in Treboeth where he composed his poems in exchange for pints.  It is said that whilst there he sat in a particularly unusual high chair.  One can imagine the Bard Gwyrosydd reciting his poetry from this commanding position with friends and acquaintances looking on.

 

The chair is still intact and can now be found in Mynyddbach Chapel.  It would be fascinating to find out more about who made the chair and was it made for Daniel James or for some other purpose!

Gwyrosydd's Grave

Our visit to Mynyddbach Chapel a few weeks ago would not have been complete without paying our respects at Daniel James' grave.

Sign boards pointed the way to the resting place of Gwyrosydd and we braved the abundant mud made by the heavy rain of recent days to reach the spot.

It was quite a poignant experience standing there in the weak sunshine within the quiet of the graveyard looking down upon the spot where Daniel lies together with his wife Ann, his son William James and his daughter Mary.

The grave inscription is in Welsh.  

A translation is:

In memory of Ann, beloved wife of

Daniel James, Treboeth,

who died on December 24th, 1887,

38 years old.

See the grave of a Dear one who was pure sunshine, undefiled to her family.

Also William James, his son

20 years old.

Also the above Daniel James (Gwyrosydd) who died March 16 1920

73 years old.

Pure heart so full of goodness.

Also the daughter of the above, Mary, who died June 28 1941,

68 years old.

Come ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.

Note how the date of Daniel's death carved on the gravestone is 16 March 1920, yet he actually died on 11 March!

Cymanfa Ganu for Daniel James

Mention of the Cymanfa Ganu in the Evening Post yesterday!

If you are in the area, come and see the beautiful Mynyddbach Chapel and celebrate the life and work of Daniel James with us.

It is on Wednesday 23 January 2013 at 7pm.

Mr Huw Tregelles Williams, OBE, DL, MA, B. Mus, FRCO, FKWCMD will be leading the programme of events and the conductor with me Mr Huw Rees, LRAM, ARCM, LLCM, FLCM.  Organist is the Reverend Grenville Fisher.

First visit to Mynyddbach Chapel

Today I made my first visit to Mynyddbach Chapel - important to the Daniel James story in so many different ways.  As a young child, Daniel lived nearby in a thatched cottage in Llangyfelach Road in Treboeth and he joined his family in regular worship there.  In later years Daniel was encouraged in his writing by members of the chapel. Finally, on his death in 1920, he was laid to rest in its cemetery.

The chapel was not at all how I imagined it.  Not knowing the area very well, I expected to find it on a main road nestled between other houses and buildings.  Instead, I turned off the main road and travelled down a short, quiet road with horses nibbling grass in fields to my right.  

Horses on the road to the chapel

The chapel faces you as you come to the end of the road, together with its neighbour, The Welcome Inn.  To the left of the Chapel as you look at its front is the cemetery which covers a total of around four and a half acres.  Overgrown but tremendously atmospheric, it has plots that date back to the early 1700s.  It is worth travelling to the site for the graveyard alone.

Mynyddbach Chapel

Mynyddbach Chapel cemetery

Inside the chapel, my breath was taken away.  First of all, the pure size of the actually chapel room is astonishing.  The two-storey seating, with its wooden benches, are still in situ and would have accommodated a huge congregation.  Ivor, our guide, explained that members of the congregation often brought their own cushions to make the services more comfortable!

Restoration work is being undertaken on the organ and Teresa and myself were lucky to hear a tune from it whilst we were there.  I can confirm that the acoustics of the chapel are wonderful!

The original character of the building still remains including the intricate painted metal railings and painted ceiling decoration.   

Painted metalwork

Ceiling decoration

Teresa and Bev at the pulpit

This will be the venue for the Cymanfa Ganu on Wednesday 23 January 2013.  It starts at 7pm and all are welcome.  I can't think of a more fitting place to celebrate the life of the bard Daniel James.

As to the meeting...it went brilliantly!  Connected Communities Project Co-ordinator Kate Spiller got some great ideas as to how the schools can get involved and what format the animated film might take.  The passion of Treboeth History Group members Ivor Williams and Geraint Williams to bring Daniel James' story to a wider audience was amazing - they have been tremendously welcoming and supportive to Kate, Teresa and myself and are keen to share the information they have acquired over the years whilst looking into the bard's life.  For us as University researchers, Teresa and myself got the chance to talk about our research so far and discuss the way forward, followed by our tour of the chapel and grounds.  

Geraint, Kate, Ivor and Teresa after the meeting

It was a great morning and I can't wait to go back!