The Sleeping Giant Foundation


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Owain Glyndwr Festival 2006

Winter Events 2006

Owain Glyndwr Festival 2005

Other Events 2005

Owain Glyndwr Festival 19th - 21st September 2008

Planning for this year's festival is well underway with bands, entertainment, storytelling, historical activities, drama, crafts, local food and real ale all booked. More details will be posted nearer the time, but make sure you book these dates in your diary as this year we have an extended medieval camp and a celidh to add to the fun of the weekend.

Looking forward to seeing you there! More info please call 01639 731062 or sgf.ltd@virgin.net

Pictures and review from last year's festival click here>>

Y Fari Lwyd 2007

After the success of last year, The Sleeping Giant Foundation and Menter Brycheiniog, once again brought the Mari Lwyd ritual back to the Upper Swansea valley. Traditionally a New Year’s Eve celebration and once seen across most of South Wales, this ritual has seen a growing resurgence in the past few years

This year the troupe visited a number of venues in the Upper Swansea valley, including pubs and restaurants in Crynant, Cwmtwrch, Penycae, Abercrave and Ystradgynlais, and raised over £300 for local charities. In addition, the troupe was asked to visit Llanguig Church, where they performed the ritual by candlelight, before ending their evening schedule in the Ivy Bush and Pontardawe Inn.

Due to increased interest in this project, a meeting will take place in The Welfare Hall, Ystradgynlais at 7pm on January 30th for anyone interested. More singers, musicians and performers are needed, even if you do not speak Welsh. Remember also that the Mari Lwyd was performed by ordinary people and not by professional performers, so there’s room for all to take part, whatever your ability! For further information please contact The Sleeping Giant Foundation on 01639 731062 or Menter Brycheiniog on 01639 844513.

Y Fari Lwyd

Santa's Parade 2007
Santa's Parade Gallery Click Here >>

This annual event, which took place on Sunday 16th December ’07 was once again a resounding success, well supported and well received. Santa and his helpers travelled through the small communities of Caerbont, Caerlan, Abercraf, Coelbren, Cae Hopkin, Ynyswen and Penycae, presenting gifts to as many children as possible and bringing lots of good cheer to all those he met.

This event is always sponsored by local businesses and the ’99 Supporters’ Club and we thank them once again for their continued support and good community spirit. It is also supported by Communities First Ystradgynlais and the Abercrave Fire Brigade. This year, Santa travelled on a new sleigh, specially constructed by staff and pupils of Maesydderwen School and this proved to be a great hit with the children. One parent was quoted as saying ‘Please keep the Santa Parade going every year. You are doing a marvellous job.’ A volunteer said, ‘ It is well worth helping on the Parade just to see the faces of the children when they see Santa arriving on his sleigh.

The Sleeping Giant Foundation would like to thank all those who were involved in any way and to wish all a happy and prosperous New Year. Next year the Parade will take place on Sunday 21st December.

Santa's Parade 2007 Gallery Click Here >>

Santa's Parade 07

3rd Owain Glyndwr Festival Sept 14th- 16th 2007

Another year gone and we can’t believe it’s been our third year running the Owain Glyndwr Festival at the Ancient Briton in Pen y Cae. This year, after taking on board your comments, we went the whole hog and ran it for two days and nights and though we are all shattered, we all feel that this year has certainly been the
best so far.

We must thank all those people who put so much work and effort into getting this event together. We have to say this up front as without the volunteer hours, the donated goods, equipment and facilities, transport, the good will gestures and musicians giving of their time for free, we would never have achieved what has certainly been a fantastic weekend. THANK YOU – all of you and you know who you are. We still have things that need improving and will continue to work to build upon the success of the past three years.

Lots of pictures from the weekend are available, just follow the links SGF Gallery, Tim Russel Gallery (Sat), Tim Russel Gallery (Sun)

A special thank you to:

Cribarth Events - who did such a professional job of the stage, PA and lighting and made a huge difference for our musicians and audience this year!
Meibion y Ddraig, Sons of the Dragon - who created an amazing atmosphere in their archers camp and provided many budding archers with a chance to hone their skills.
Horses Through History – again we couldn’t have done this without you and your horses and the Prince himself.
Hywel and Pontardawe Acoustic Music Club– fine musicians and great entertainment
Jimmy Juggle – the best in kids entertainment and circus skills
The Play Supply – imaginative play and creation for kids and the awarding body of the Cabbage for the Best Horse Poo Sculpture (awarded by Prince Glyndwr)
Dwy Droed Chwith – traditional Welsh clog dancing who meet every Weds at 6pm in Alltwen Community Centre
Glamorgan School of Arms – training in medieval combat skills and martial arts, thanks for superb displays. They meet in Swansea.
Stonecraft – another great local band back again for the festival
Boys From The Hill– who played their penultimate gig on Saturday. Thanks for a great three years guys and good luck for the future!
Lazarus Carpenter – for getting together a fab Friday night of music and keeping the music going on Saturday evening.
Penycae School -who did a wonderful performance of the history of Owain Glyndwr
Glantawe Hawking - who brought with them beautiful birds of prey.
Esyllt Harker and Gillian Stevens – beautiful story telling with traditional music.
Sharie – who stepped in at the last minute to share Welsh faerie tales.
The Friday night (and Sat) musicians – Ian James, Double Zeros, Kelly’s Angles, Esinti, Lazarus and the Lambs, Up the Creek

and….

John Williams (Communities First), Cen and Crew (1st Swansea Valley Scouts), Howard Marr, Crad Lowe, Coelbren School, Welfare Hall and Church and of course Gerald and the staff of the Ancient Briton, for your enthusiasm and constant support of this event.

Lots of pictures from the weekend are available, just follow the links SGF Gallery, Tim Russel Gallery (Sat), Tim Russel Gallery (Sun)

This event has been sponsored by the BBNPA Sustainable Development Fund and Awards For All.

Festival Sword