Old Customs for New Year

New Year’s morning saw a small number of individuals gather for Calennig. This is the name given to the giving or receiving of gifts on New Year’s Day (Dydd Calan). Traditionally, families would wait up on New Year’s Eve until, soon after the stroke of mid-night, they would be visited by young men singing ‘Blwyddyn Newydd Dda’ (Happy New Year). Dark-haired males with blackened faces and carrying lumps of coal were considered particularly lucky. Their singing would be rewarded with gifts of money or food and they, in turn, would give the occupants a lucky piece of coal or a decorated apple (also called a Calennig and a precursor of the Christingle), whilst wishing them prosperity and health for the coming year. Although most of these visits took place in the early hours, some also took place during daylight and this was permissible, as long as it did not occur after mid-day.

Sadly, during the second half of the last century, this once common tradition largely died out in the Upper Swansea Valley, as indeed did many other old Welsh customs. Now, the same group that has recently successfully reintroduced the ancient tradition of the Mari Lwyd to the area has started to revive that of Calennig. Its members consider such traditions an important part of our Welsh identity, heritage, social history and culture and, as such, worth preserving whilst we still have the older generation with us, many of whom can remember how they were originally performed. Anyone interested in ancient Welsh customs are invited to contact the Sleeping Giant Foundation for more information.

Santa's Parade 2009 Pictures from the day here>>

Santa with his entourage of musicians, Mother Christmas, Abercrave Fire Fighters and Community Police Officers, and in his new purpose built sleigh, provided this year by SGF Director Allan Morgan, brought a smile to the faces of young and old alike as he passed through the small communities of the Upper Swansea Valley on the 20th December.

He stopped to chat, give out presents and join in the Christmas fun, and the whole event was a truly worthwhile and colourful spectacle. Our thanks go to all the sponsors, members of the ’99 Club and all who donated raffle prizes to make this event a success.

Raffle prize winners (all claimed)were tickets: 89; 170; 188; 255; and 326.Pictures from the day here>>

The Horse; his industry, our industry - Film Launch

The Sleeping Giant Foundation are pleasd to announce the launch of the film 'The Horse; his industry, our industry' which has been produced and directed by local film-maker, Eleanor Flaherty, as the final project for her MA in Media Productions at Lampeter University.

Eleanor set out to make a film to celebrate the role of the working horse in South Powys, through stories from people with lived experience of working with horses in the mines, on the land and within our community. With the SGF's strong connections in the local community and a previously successful Oral History Project, it made sense for her to work in partnership with us.

Funding was secured from Glasu, to support the research, filming and post production, but the project could not have been completed without the contribution of over 200 hours of volunteer time by members of the SGF and the local community. The project has also received help from Big Pit: National Coal Museum, St Fagan's: National History Museum, The Pit Pony Sanctuary and National Showcaves Centre for Wales who freely gave of their time during the project.

With support from Glasu, copies of the film have been sent to all secondary schools in Powys, all local primary schools, libraries in South Powys and to the National Library of Wales. Ystradgynlais Library has two copies available to the public. One as a reference, to be viewed in the library and another copy which is available on loan.

The film was launched at Penpont, near Sennybridge at the end of November, in their newly converted Stable building, which was not only apt for this film, but is a very beautiful venue.

Eleanor is already planning the next community film, of local myths and legends, with storyteller Owen Staton. We look forward to working with her again in the future.

Owain Glyndwr Festival 2009

Another fantastic year and we are all just about recovering. A full report will go up shortly, but just to remind yourselves of the fun, we've put a couple of galleries of pictures up of the weekend.

Thanks again for all who came, performed and participated. You have all contributed to this year's success!

Tawe Tales - Tragic Love Stories

Owen Staton's next telling of the Tawe Tales is in January 2010 where Owen will be telling Tragic Love stories around the Welsh St Valentine's Day, Dydd Santess Dwynwen

Broken Promises
“Tragic Love Stories to celebrate Dydd Santess Dwynwen”
20th January 2010 Abercrave Welfare Hall
21st January 2010 Coelbren Welfare Hall.

Each public performance will begin at 7.30 pm and tickets will cost £4 and are available from the Sleeping Giant foundation on 01639731062 or on the door.

Supported by BBNPA Sustainable Development Fund, Glantawe Lions and Communities First Ystradgynlais.

Owen has also started working on a series of short films on the stories of the area with local film-maker Eleanor Flaherty. The DVD will be for sale once completed. Below is a taster film with images from pupils at Cwmtwrch Primary School, who were inspired by a story telling session from Owen.

Y Fari Lwyd

Mari Lwyd swept out the old year and brought in the new with mischief and enthusiasm wherever she went in 2008. With a group of singers in traditional costume, she visited local Inns and sang her way up and down Tawe Uchaf accompanied by the talented accordionist, Mr. Clive Osborne.

This year saw a revival of visits to houses (as well as Inns) in Cwmgiedd and Coelbren, where the hospitality offered was most generous. Monies raised this year will benefit the work of the Volunteer Centre, Ystradgynlais, Llangiwg Restoration Fund and the work of the Sleeping Giant Foundation.

In planning the 2009 programme, we will welcome invitations for the Mari troupe to sing both inside or outside, so please let the Sleeping Giant Foundation office know in good time if you would like her to visit you.

In partnership with Menter Brycheiniog and Maesyfed, the SGF hopes to consider reviving other Welsh traditions, and looks forward to new challenges and, of course, lots of fun!