Gweithdy Tudur Owen, Tafarn Sinc
Talent mewn Tafarn project nurtures creative talent in the Welsh language, and creates a network of performers, writers and community promoters within rural areas. Five pubs are part of the project which are Menter y Plu, Llanystumdwy; Vale of Aeron Pub, Aeron Valley; Tafarn Ty’n Llan, Llandwrog; Tafarn Sinc, Rosebush and Fic Llithfaen in collaboration with Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, National Eisteddfod and freelance artists. The project is funded by Connect and Flourish Fund by Arts Council Wales.
During the past six months, Talent mewn Tafarn have been organising various events, with 500 people taking part in events across Wales. The project has been working with many artists including Hywel Pitts, Tudur Owen, Aeron Pughe and Carwyn Blaeney leading comedy workshops in the pubs and also comedy and music events to develop audiences in the rural communities. The comedy workshops have been supporting and developing local confidence to try out new skills.
Iwan John, Talent mewn Tafarn Project Co-ordinator said:
“Talent mewn Tafarn is a very special project and co-working with the pubs is a pleasure. Each pub has their own audience and unique customers, and we’re working with those individual communities to find new comedians. The pubs are very successful in their own right in their communities and it’s great to work with them on developing new audiences. The events are varied and we’ve already come across many characters during this project. We look forward now to developing the project further and hold an event at the National Eisteddfod this year.”
Events that have been held already include ‘Hi Hi Hi’ evening at the Vale of Aeron to celebrate women’s humour, creativity and imagination , including stand-up comedy, original songs and a performance of a new play ‘Torth Stêl’ by Elliw Dafydd and Naomi Seren. Other comedians who have been part of events include Caryl Burke, Al Parr and Katie Gill-Williams.
As part of the events, Ty’n Llan held their first Pub Eisteddfod on the 8th of July with a day for the whole family to compete in various competitions – with an evening for adults only and judges including Llŷr Ifans, Lisa Gwilym, Hywel Pitts and Catrin Toffoc. Over 200 came to watch or take part in the Eisteddfod – with 208 entries across 37 competiton.
Wyn Roberts from Ty’n Llan committee said;
“We had our pub Eisteddfod during the weekend, it was a brilliant day with the whole village coming over to take part or watch a programme full of performances! A huge thank you to Talent mewn Tafarn for making it possible – we’re looking forward to the 2024 Eisteddfod already!”
A special event will be held at Canolfan S4C Yr Egin on 21 October. Carys Ifan, Yr Egin Director said:
“Yr Egin are really pleased to be a part of this project and experiencing the direct positive impact on Welsh language communities in West Wales has been a pleasure, whilst also working with and supporting many freelance practitioners. This is a great chance for people to develop skills within their communities, as a country of small communities we know that humour doesn’t always travel! We look forward to holding an event as part of this project in Yr Egin during the autumn and seeing this project going from strength to strength.”
More information about the event at Yr Egin will be announced soon.
