NATIONAL THEATRE OF WALES VISIT TO RHAYADER & DISTRICT.

Mathilde Lopez from the National Theatre of Wales asked Transition Town Rhayader to take some Dutch performers on a visit to the area.  Sjoerd, Henry and Floris  (Peergroup) are currently performing in the Brecon Beacon National Park and they wanted to meet local farming people and get a feel for another community in Powys.  Rhayader was chosen as it is registered as a Transition Town in Powys so we wanted to show them our project, as well as take them to see places of interest in the area.  Dorienne Robinson, our Project Development Officer arranged visits to the Living Willow Theatre and Ashfield Community Project and the Chair of TTR&D organised the Rhayader visits. Luckily, Liz Pugh of CARAD was able to supply both the museum visit to give them some historical artefacts to see and to hear local farming people telling their own stories in the excellent video presentations captured in the museum; and a visit to her own farm to talk to her husband, James who’s farming family have farmed sheep and cattle for many years. 

On Thursday, 12th August, the three Dutch performers on their fact finding tour, were driven here from Cardiff by Mathilde, after checking in at the Horseshoe Inn came first to the museum, and exhibition, then met up with Transition’s Chair, Catherine Lea for lunch in the Crown.  As they expressed an interest in the local wildlife, we fitted in a quick visit to Gigrin Farm to see the kite feeding before going on to the Living Willow Theatre at Penlanole. Dorienne was able to join us there. They asked loads of questions, and after a very welcome cup of tea, we moved on to see Ashfield in Howey.  This was most interesting as they are just embarking on a whole new venture there.  The community at Howey have just rallied round and bought the whole site; they had literally picked up the keys on Wednesday, so Ian Tremaine - the 1st year Project Manager, showed us round and told us all about their plans for the site. 

The last visit on their first day was to Cwmdauddwr School, which we hope will be a showpiece for Transition and how it can work in the community.  The CPE trustees are renovating the building to bring it up to modern standards so it can once again be an asset to the community, and Transition Town are putting in the insulation and double glazing, as well as two types of solar panels to provide free hot water and electricity for use in the building and to make use of the Government’s Feed in Tariff for any excess sold back to the grid. There are also plans for the playground to be a community garden.  A well-earned dinner at the Triangle and a chat with another local farmer closed the first day.

On Friday morning we took the troup around the Claerwen and Elan Valleys to see the dams and beautiful unspoilt countryside with the wildlife that brings so many visitors to the area.  They really enjoyed walking down to see the river Claerwen as it tumbled between rocks and the largest dam.  Then around the reservoirs and dams in the Elan valley, then, Liz and James Pugh took us round their farm in Llanwrthwl.  We learned much about the farmland and the ancient common rights, changes to farming practices over the years and modern farming methods. A walk up onto the common to see the cattle and the views of the hills around; so very different of course from their home in northern Holland’s rural area which is very flat. 

All too soon, it was time for them to get back to Cardiff and on to another performance in Brecon.  Quite a whistle-stop tour, and we realised how much more they have missed, but we packed all we could into their day and a half in the district.  Another time we could try to get along to the Wildlife Trust in Gilfach, and to see St Harmon, Pant y dwr, Abbeycwmhir, Bwlch y Sarnau and Nantmel but there just was not enough time.  I think they did get an overview and I am sure they will be back for more.