1. What was your Llais y Lle project?
I wanted to create activities that would connect the two communities of Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan by bringing everyone together to share the area’s history, promote local heritage and celebrate our Welshness. After a period of creative engagement, inspiration for our project emerged.
One of the main characteristics of the area is the wild ponies, which have ancient DNA that links them to the distant past. There is also a living tradition with the local farmers, who, through the generations, collect the ponies down from the Carneddau every November. We decided to create North Wales’ first Wild Pony Festival as a unique celebration for the towns of Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr.
2. What happened during the festival?
After weeks of organising with Menter Iaith Conwy, Llanfairfechan Town Council Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan Area Committee, we organised several activities to celebrate the area’s history. These activities included dancing, drumming and digital art workshops – including working with a local artist, Reality Boffins, and a performance group from the area, Crazy Cats, to increase confidence in using the Welsh language.
We organised walking tours with a historian sharing the stories of the area, created a beer called ‘Gwin Du’ from a local brewery for the event, and in the local pubs, we facilitated conversations and a sing-a-long to celebrate with everyone in the community. Of course, everyone came together to see the wild ponies running from the mountains, with thanks to the local farmers for their contribution. At least 500 people from the communities of Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan came to take part in the festival.
3. What has happened because of your Llais y Lle project?
These communities have experienced an influx of people from the cities of Chester, Liverpool and Manchester due to their proximity to the A55 (road), which has impacted the language. However, through creative bilingual activities and the ponies as inspiration, everyone had the opportunity to feel ownership over the local language, history and heritage. The festival made people more confident in using Welsh first in conversation. Following the project, some Welsh speakers felt the town had reverted to its golden age. Some said:
“I feel this project has given people permission to use their Welsh.”
“I grew up in Llanfairfechan, but since I moved back here, it’s the first night I’ve felt the community has come together, as it was before.”