cgdwc ~ wnfds

Please contact the chair if you have an interest in the following; chair@dawnsio.com

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My Story is looking for contributors to be part of the 2nd series of the hit CBeebies programme My Story [more info on our first series can be found here – http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/mystory

My Story pioneers the concept of history to pre-schoolers. It is a unique child-led history brand, taking children on a journey to find out their own family’s history through fun, adventure and play – and to discover that every family has a story!

We’re really keen to feature a story in our new series “My Story Series 2” and so are looking for someone that could tell it! Ideally we are looking for a charismatic family member that can retell their own life story to a bubbly 4 to 6 year old member in their family – a great grandchild, grandchild, niece/nephew, son/daughter or even a godchild. The storytelling would be filmed in key locations from the story and we would incorporate fun activities that tie into the experience. The older member of the family may be an enthusiastic welsh folk dancer or a member of the Welsh National Folk Dance Society. We basically want someone with a great story relating to their experiences and stories from their dance history and a family member of the right age (4-6 years old) for them to tell it to.

The 16th CADI HA FESTIVAL will be held in Holywell, Flintshire on the 27th of April 2013. We’ll also be celebrating DAWNSWYR DELYN’s 25th anniversary.

Eirlys Britton from Cardiff, is the winner of this year’s Sir T.H. Parry-Williams Memorial Medal, and she receives the medal for her tireless work in the Pontypridd area for over thirty years. Originally from Cardiff, Eirlys was one of the first pupils at Ysgol Rhydfelen in Pontypridd before graduating in Drama from Trinity College, Carmarthen. She was an enthusiastic and influential teacher at Ysgol Heol y Celyn near Pontypridd before joining the cast of Pobol y Cwm portraying Beth Leyshon for a number of years.

Eirlys is probably best known for her work within the folk dancing world, and her interest stems from her period as a young teacher at Heol y Celyn, where she was also a successful recitation coach (first and second language Welsh), dancing and action songs. This interest led to the creation of Dawnswyr Nantgarw in 1980 with her work colleagues and parents from the school.

Eirlys’ aim in creating Dawnswyr Nantgarw was to resurrect some of the old traditions and dances of the Taff Valley and Glamorgan, and to include young people, both Welsh speakers and non- Welsh speakers. Dance proved the perfect medium to bridge across language and social barriers, and was also an opportunity to nurture young musicians, encouraging them to join the experienced musicians at Dawnswyr Nantgarw, offering opportunities and memorable experiences, whilst promoting traditions and representing their country.

Eirlys was also responsible for creating the dance now seen during one of the main ceremonies on the National Eisteddfod Pavilion stage. The dance seen on Wednesday afternoon during the Prose Medal ceremony is an opportunity for young people from the catchment area to showcase their talents on the Pavilion stage and to attend the Eisteddfod. Eirlys will receive the Medal during a special ceremony on the Pavilion stage.

Just a quick note to let you know that Dawnswyr Pen-y-Fai are celebrating their Ruby birthday by touring the whole of Wales this weekend.

They will be visiting: Taff’s Well, Llangurig, Y Fflint, Caernarfon, Barmouth, Aberystwyth, Llanbadarn & Llanarthne! To see where they’ll be dancing, where there’ll be food available and to where you get free entry in your costume, click HERE.

Pen-blwydd hapus Pen-y-Fai!

Hello – this is a letter from Eiry, our chair, to everyone re. competing and performing on the Eisteddfod field next year. Please click on the link below to read it – pdf file:

Eisteddfod Bro Morgannwg

With Parti Dawns Aelwyd Aberystwyth, October 6th, 2012

click here for the programme and more information: Gŵyl Hydref Programme

Solo Dance for Girls (94)
1. Ceri Ann Phillips, Blaenycoed, Caerfyrddin, Sir Gaerfyrddin
2. Hannah Elin Rowlands, Glan Conwy, Sir Conwy
3. Lleucu Phillips, Blaencoed, Caerfyrddin, Sir Gaerfyrddin

Solo Dance for Boys (93)
1. Gethin Page, Blaenycoed, Caerfyrddin, Sir Gaerfyrddin
2. Trystan Gruffydd, Efail Isaf, Pontypridd
3. Osian Gruffydd, Efail Isaf, Pontypridd

Folk Dance under 25 (90)
1. Dawnswyr Talog

Stepping for duo, trio or quartet (92)
1. Grŵp Cymysg Talog, Caerfyrddin, Sir Gaerfyrddin
2. Trystan ac Osian Gruffydd, Efail Isaf, Pontypridd
3. Merched Talog, Caerfyrddin, Sir Gaerfyrddin

Welsh Folk Dance Society Trophy (89)
1. Parti Clwb Ffermwyr Ifanc Capel Iwan
2. Dawnswyr Delyn, Yr Wyddgrug

Group Stepping (91)
1. Dawnswyr Talog
2. Dawnswyr Bro Taf
3. Clocswyr Ceulan a Garmon

The Lois Blake Trophy (88)
1. Dawnswyr Nantgarw
2. Dawnswyr Talog
3. Dawnswyr Glancleddau