1. art and entertainment
2. visual art and design
3. drawing

Carmarthenshire Culture
Issue 15
May 2015
Cultural Services’ May 2015 Newsletter
Welcome to the May edition of the Cultural Services newsletter for 2015. This is the place to keep up to date with events, services
and news in the department. The newsletter highlights forthcoming and recent events in the Arts, Libraries, Museums, Archives
and Theatres in Carmarthenshire and the newsletter is a fantastic opportunity to share with all staff the latest that Cultural Services
has to offer. If you would like to include an item, please contact Caru James on [email protected].
Carmarthenshire Libraries
Welsh libraries and primary schools are joining forces to
provide every primary school child with a library card. Closing
the initiative in Carmarthen and Llanelli today, Dr Rhys Jones best known for his hit BBC series including ‘Rhys to the Rescue’
and ‘Dr Rhys Jones’s Wildlife Patrol’ - said: “Libraries are such an
important resource, they are a great place for children to let
their imagination grow and to develop and it is vitally
important that we encourage our children to read more not
only to improve their literacy levels but also to help them with
life skills and future opportunities.”


Friendly, helpful library staff
Somewhere safe to meet friends
This initiative is targeting year four pupils in sixteen Welsh
authorities: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Carmarthenshire,
Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil,
Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys,
Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and Wrexham. This
initiative supports the Welsh Government's “Education Begins
at Home” campaign which encourages parents to help their
child at home by making time to read which can help their
performance in school.
Other Events
We are running a colouring competition at Llanelli, Burry Port,
Llangennech and Llwynhendy libraries to win a family ticket to
see The Horrible Histories show that’s on tour and visiting Y
Ffwrnes theatre in May. You’ll have a chase to choose tickets for
the Groovy Greeks or the Incredible Invaders. If you would like
a chance to win these fantastic tickets then please visit our
Libraries mentioned above to pick up your colouring sheet and
be in with a chance of winning. Amser Twf is starting in Llanelli
library on the 22nd of April and will run for 6 weeks. It starts at
10.30 on a Wednesday.
Carmarthenshire Arts
The Gate, St Clears
Pupils from across Carmarthenshire have been taking part in
events in libraries over the last few months –Community
Assistant Ivy Thomas of St Clears Branch Library commented:
“Since we held the ECALM event in St Clears, pupils from Ysgol
Griffith Jones have been coming back to borrow more books
with their new membership cards. If we can encourage all
children to use the library it will no doubt have a beneficial
effect on how they perform in the classroom too.”
Mr. Mark Jewell, Library Services Manager said: “This library card
will allow the children to borrow books straight away and get a
great bag to carry their books home with them. Once proof of
address is provided, they can then have access to thousands of
free books, use the computers and access lots of other
resources.” Use your local library to access the amazing range
of services including:





FREE fiction, non-fiction, comics, graphic novels and
talking books
FREE homework help - online and in the library
FREE e-books and e-magazines
FREE computer use and internet access
Clubs, games, events, activities and classes in the
library
A Day At The Races with Chris Rees
St Clears photographer Chris Rees recently found photographs
he had taken on Epsom Downs on Derby Day 1971. Although
the legendary Mill Reef romped home that day, Chris
surprisingly switched his focus to the Epsom crowd instead. “I
had always thought there was more to a race meeting than just
the horses”.
Carmarthenshire Culture
Issue 15
May 2015
Many years later, in 2014, Chris decided to attend two
distinctive race meetings in west Wales and continue
documenting the race-going crowd. Chris spent Easter Monday
at Lydstep Point To Point in Pembrokeshire and Ladies Evening
at Ffos Las in Carmarthenshire. “Both of these race meetings
have an individual atmosphere that doesn’t seem to exist
anywhere else; they sit within their own bubble,” said Chris.
These photographs, along with his original Derby photos, can
be seen at The Gate, St. Clears, where Chris last exhibited in
2003.
Originally from St. Clears, Chris studied photography at the
West Surrey Institute of Art And Design, Guildford, before
continuing his studies in film production at the London Film
School. After film school Chris worked on music promos for
many bands including The Damned, Ian Dury and The
Blockheads, David Bowie and The Clash.
Having worked for many years in the London film industry,
Chris moved back to west Wales to take up the post of lecturer
and course leader in Media Production at Pembrokeshire
College. Chris has had many photography exhibitions,
including at The Queens Hall Gallery, Narberth, and the Joanna
Field Gallery, Milford Haven. He has also produced films for
S4C, the Torch Theatre and Pembrokeshire Business Awards.
If you would like to be part of our May Days Madness, then
please contact The Gate Gallery on 01994 232 726 via website
www.-gate.org
via
social
media
www.facebook.com/ygatthegate
Coming Soon….
Carmarthen School of Arts
The Gate Gallery is delighted to welcome BA Sculpture
students from Carmarthen School of Arts. Join us as the
students put on ‘a really wild exhibit of mixed media
sculptures, hand crafted, and all curated by BA2 Sculpture
students themselves’. There will be a private viewing on May
26th and then the exhibition will be on display to the public
from Wednesday 27th of May until Saturday 6 th of June 2015.
The Gallery is open Monday to Friday 9.00am – 4.30pm and
Saturday 9.00am – 3.00pm, closed Sundays.
For more information please contact The Gate Gallery on 01994
232 726 via email, www.-gate.org via social media
www.facebook.com/ygatthegate
Chris’s exhibition will be on display from April 13 th until May
23rd 2015, Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm Saturday
9.00am to 3.00pm
Easter Workshop Success
Our Easter workshops ‘Easter Makes and Spring Shapes’ was a
very successful event, with all workshops being sold out. Our
next series of workshops will be held in May half-term, on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 26th, 27th and 28th May,
when, due to popular demand, we will be holding all day
creative events with a variety of activities available.
Conference Rooms
As the election looms, party conferences are popping up
everywhere!!! If you or your organisations require a small
conference room for meetings, training or any other purpose,
then the Gate is the place for you. We have two rooms available
at very reasonable rates with Wi-Fi throughout and an on-site
cafe. There is a large public car-park 5mins walk away and the
whole building is disabled friendly. St Clears is central point on
the east-west axis of the county and a wonderful venue.
Dylan Thomas Boathouse, Laugharne
Summer Hours Again 10.00 am to 5.00pm last admission
From Friday May 1st The Dylan Thomas Boathouse will be
returning to summer opening hours. Open from Monday to
Sunday 10.00am to last admission at 5.00pm, closing at
5.30pm.
The Boathouse will also introduce a new summer menu with
plenty of delicious new dishes, with ingredients purchased
locally and produced on site in Dylan’s very own kitchen. Our
Carmarthenshire Culture
May 2015
home-made cakes and scones will still make this one of the top
10 places in the UK and Ireland for afternoon tea, so be sure to
treat yourself this year!
Issue 15
As a tribute to both artists, Prof Tony Curtis, Emeritus Professor
of Poetry at the University of Glamorgan and Fellow of the
Royal Society of Literature, has very kindly loaned the
Boathouse a selection of pieces from his personal collection of
Ceri Richards work, which are on exhibition until 7th July.
Prof Curtis will be opening the exhibition at 5.30pm, when he
will be speaking about both artists.
As he says in his introduction to the exhibition,
”Sixty two years after their first and only meeting, this exhibition
re-unites the two Swansea makers of dreams. Here they are again
in Laugharne, under Sir John’s Hill, chasing the Green Metaphor,
asserting that Death shall have no Dominion.”
Saturday 21st March WORLD POETRY DAY
The Dylan Thomas Boathouse celebrated World Poetry day by
inviting musician, writer and recent graduate from Atrium
Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries, Cheryl Beer
to perform throughout the day. Cheryl encouraged people to
create their own lines of poetry, inspiring them to appreciate
the setting Dylan Thomas adored, as well as re-creating his love
of words. A fitting tribute on World Poetry Day.
Thursday 14th MAY: DYLANS DAY. Events start at 9.30am
On the inaugural “Dylan’s Day”, Thursday May 14th, chosen as it
was the date “Under Milkwood “ was first performed in New
York, we have a busy day lined up at the Boathouse.
At 9.30am there is the launch of “Dictionary for Dylan”, the
legacy from DT100, when the “pop-up” Writing Shed visited
schools and venues all over Wales, England and even Ireland.
People were invited to contribute “special” words to create the
Dictionary and this is it!! Emily Hinshelwood, the resident poet,
will be presenting a copy of the Dictionary and certificates to all
the schools who participated in the project.
While this is taking place, we are pleased to welcome Cheryl
Beer once again, for a day of writing, music and inspiration.
With her encouragement, everyone can find and express their
creative nature.
Also during the day, local actor Mark Montinaro, will be
performing pieces from his repertoire of Dylan’s writing,
including “Holiday Memory” and “The Outing”. Performances
are scheduled for 11am, 1pm and 3pm, but there might also be
some extemporary moments of spontaneous Dylan, making for
an exciting day!
Ceri Richards exhibition
The late Welsh artist, Ceri Richards, was inspired by the work of
Dylan Thomas, and actually met and discussed a collaboration
with him shortly before his death.
“Under Milkwood” By Laugharne Players
Finally, the day will end with a performance of “Under
Milkwood” by the Laugharne Players. In this latest production,
Maggie James, director, says “This performance pays tribute to
Dylan’s love of language and to the style of the original
production. When the medium of radio was more common
than that of television, this “play for voices” concentrated on
creating pictures with words. Our hope is to do the same again,
though with the Boathouse and the estuary as our backdrop,
the audience will enjoy a visual feast as well.”
Tickets are available from the Boathouse at £7.50 each.
Numbers are limited, so early booking is advised.
COMING SOON...
June introduces our poet in residence John Bilsborough, quirky
and original, whose readings will delight and entertain. John
will be creatively working with members of the public at
weekends, as well as doing some evening performances during
this month.
For more details, check the web-site
www.dylanthomasboathouse.com or phone on 01994 427420.
Carmarthenshire Culture
May 2015
Issue 15
Oriel Myrddin
Cariad – Wedding Collection
1 April – 30 September 2015
Oriel Myrddin Gallery are delighted to present the Cariad
Collection featuring exceptional makers from across the UK.
This exquisite range of diamond rings and wedding bands for
women and men includes elegant and contemporary designs
especially selected for those who are looking for something
unusual and distinctive that can be treasured for a lifetime.
goes on at the art college. The event is drop in/ free of charge
and anyone can come and join in.
Drawing Woollenlines: a short Film by Pip Woolf
Friday 15 May 6pm in the studio
Woollenline is a drawing: joining people, material and
possibility. Drawing Woollenlines documents moments in
some of the many lives that have contributed to its making. See
the drawings and short film screening and meet the artist. Free
entry
The designers featured include:
Catherine Mannheim
Emily Nixon
Olivia Schlevogt
Ruth Tomlinson
Come and browse in the gallery where you can also book a
consultation appointment to discuss the full collections available
from each maker through our ordering service.
Oriel Myrddin exhibition: Drawing 2015
2 May -20 June 2015
In recent years artists have re-visited drawing, and have
redefined and pushed the boundaries in fresh and dynamic
directions. Drawing is no longer limited to study, sketch or pencil
on paper. For this selected exhibition I’ve chosen to show the
work of artists who use drawing as a primary method. For many
of them, drawing is the end result, and not merely a staging post.
The selected artists in this exhibition are: Anna Barratt, David
Begley, Kelly Best, Helen Booth, Julia Griffiths Jones, AnneMie Melis, Robert McPartland and Stephanie Tucknell.
Carmarthen Sketchbook Walk
Sunday 31 May 11am-1pm
Walk talk and sketch around Carmarthen Town with artist Julia
Griffith Jones. Meet by 11am at Oriel Myrddin Gallery (Free of
charge/ no need to book) Sketchbooks & pencil provided (or
bring your own supplies).Open to all, from complete beginners
to experienced sketchers. Children under 12 must be
accompanied by an adult.
Book Club
Wednesday 10th June, 6-7.30pm
Girl Reading By Katie Ward
The book is chosen to draw out themes from the exhibition
showing in the gallery and we hold the club in the gallery
space after the gallery has closed for the evening. It’s a great
opportunity to meet and spend time with local like-minded
folk, and make new friends. Free entry-warm welcome- tea and
cake provided.
Carmarthenshire Theatres
What’s on?
Open Sketchbook
Saturday 2 May 11-4 pm
To launch the Drawing 2015 exhibition a group of Fine Art
students at Carmarthen School of Art will be hosting a lively
hands-on event in the gallery studio on Saturday 2nd of May.
The intention of the day is to open the sketchbook, showing
their own artworks as well as guiding visitors through the
process of making a sketchbook and teaching a range of
drawing skills. This is both a showcase for the students as
artists and a chance for people to find out more about what
‘There’s something for everyone’ at Theatrau Sir Gâr!
Theatrau Sir Gâr’s (TSG) Spring Season continues with the
launch of the Carmarthen Film Club at the Lyric with a special
showing of the 1959 classic ‘Some Like It Hot’ starring Tony
Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe. Also NEW is the
Spoken Word on the 2nd Saturday of every month in the cosy
atmosphere at Ffwrnes.
Rock, clap and sing along to a spectacular two-hour musical
show on Friday 8th May in the Ffwrnes to The Cavern Beatles;
one of the best tribute bands honouring the 1960s’ Beatles.
Carmarthenshire Culture
May 2015
Enjoy an inspiring, funny and uplifting drama in Gladiator, a
story about honour and dignity and the first racing bike called
‘The Gladiator’ in 1895 at the Lyric on Friday 15th May.
Bluestocking Lounge presents Clwb Kaboom; an eclectic lineup of burlesque, comedy, cabaret and magic at Stiwdio Stepni
on Friday 15th May.
Issue 15
famous comedy that made television history as told by Tom
Owen, the son of the great Bill Owen who played ‘Compo’ for
27 years. A memorable evening of anecdotes, songs and film
clips at the Miners’ on Friday 5th June.
Enjoy the hilarious comedy, Striking the Wrong Note by Colin
Isaac which is based on two married couples with years of
friendship finding problems and trying to survive them; it’s at
the Ffwrnes Theatre on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th June.
Elio Pace performs The Billy Joel Song Book in an electrifying
concert at the Lyric on Friday 12th June featuring the massive
hits celebrating the phenomenal music of Billy Joel.
May half-term brings two fantastic family productions at the
Ffwrnes Theatre with The Birmingham Stage Company
presenting Horrible Histories: Groovy Greeks & Incredible
Invaders on stage from Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24 th May –
pick your side and choose your times, ask the box office for
further details; and Premier Stage Productions presents
Milkshake! Live ‘Party Party’ on Saturday 30th May with a
FREE milkshake for children attending.
Wartime code breaker Alan Turing’s pioneering work is
explored and explained in this unique production To Kill a
Machine showing at the Miners’ on Thursday 21st May. Last of
the Summer Wine – Treading the Boards is the story of the
June’s headlining act at the Comedy Club is the hilarious
Brendan Riley, the cheerful Liverpudlian at Stiwdio Stepni on
Friday 5th June.
Ballet Cymru presents Cinderella, a brand new music score
featuring circus elements and classical dance to conjure a
surprising world of wonder and magic at the Ffwrnes on
Saturday 27th June.
Pirate Jenny Cabaret brings you the best in variety
entertainment from magic, swing, soul and Motown acts at the
Ffwrnes on Friday 26th June.
At the Ffilm@Ffwrnes during May and June is No Manifesto: A
film about the Manic Street Preachers, Dark Horse, High
Society and the ever popular Back to the Future Marathon
coming in August.
On Sale Now the Basil Brush Show at the Ffwrnes on
Saturday 15th August, a show for all the family. The longest
running musical outside of the West End is Cappuccino Girls; it
returns with an all-star cast from Saturday 25th July to
Thursday 30th July – DON’T MISS OUT!