Llanrwst

• Gŵyl Dafydd ap Siecyn Festival

Over 500 years ago Llanrwst and the forest fortress of Gwydir in the Conwy Valley were home to a rebel whose exploits, real or otherwise, have earned him the title of the Welsh Robin Hood: Dafydd ap Siencyn. This festival celebrates that rebel, poet and challenger.

For its second year, this festival moved to the month of September and the weekend consisted of over 40 different events spread around Llanrwst town and Gwydir forest. The events included a medieval re-enactment, historic talks, forest art and more.

This large-scale event was match funded by Llanrwst Town Council.

• Empty Shop Windows Project

A pilot project that aimed to revitalise some of the empty shop windows in Llanrwst using vinyls with graphics that showcased the culture and heritage of the town.

One window has been completed on Ancaster Square (with the kind permission of Cartrefi Conwy) and the vinyls display shelves of books. The project lead worked with Bys a Bawd to get book titles that were written in the Llanrwst area, in the Welsh language or Welsh authors who were writing in English.

A feasibility study has been created using the costs incurred and the feedback received. It’s hoped this project will continue under new funding.

• Llanast Llanrwst

Ran by a committee of community members and Menter Iaith this Welsh language music festival supports local businesses and offers access to free or low cost gigs. With UK Shared Prosperity funding they were able to incorporate an outreach programme in the lead up to the weekend festival that included school workshops and a comedy night.

• Community Film Screenings

Over the last 12 months, Llanrwst Town Team have funded a Community Cinema at Glasdir through UK Shared Prosperity funding. Four screenings were held in partnership with Creu Conwy, Theatr Colwyn and Oriel Colwyn, with 75 children and adults attending. These low cost or free events were mostly aimed at young families, however during November, one Welsh language screening of Hedd Wyn was held for adults. The chosen venue of Glasdir was particular poignant as it is located on the same site as the Luxor Cinema which closed in 1966.

• Mobile Planetarium

A collaboration between local residents, Golygfa Gwydyr and the Carneddau Project brought a mobile planetarium to the town of Llanrwst. This free event saw 278 children and adults enjoy the constellation themed show. The event also brought new attention to Golygfa Gwydyr’s ‘Discover the Night Sky’ project and the Carneddau’s ‘Dark Skies’ project. Both partners had information tables present on the day.