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Barmouth News - 14th March, 2010


Where future events and specific information are mentioned, these are highlighted for easy reference.

"For Mountain, Sand & Sea" - Barmouth

Marc Rees is one of Wales’s leading exponents of contemporary performance and installation who is preparing a project commissioned by the recently inaugurated National Theatre Wales. It will take the form of a location specific, multi-sensory journey through the town of Barmouth in June and July 2010. Entitled ‘For Mountain, Sand & Sea’, the project will use the extraordinary historical pictorial archive of the town collated by the community (headed by Hugh Roberts through a Communities First initiative) as its main stimulus. In June 2010 Marc and his team will be resident in Barmouth for four weeks creating this new work; the company will be made up of Marc Rees, the curator and artistic director, Benedict Anderson, his creative collaborator, Siân Thomas the producer and six artists who work in the performing and visual arts, mostly from Wales but including one artist from Spain. There will also be a team of technical people supporting the project and a group of stewards to help guide the audience around the town; additionally they will work with some of the local Barmouth craftsmen who will bring their expertise to the project.

The excursion around Barmouth will begin at St Johns Church Hall where he will create a ‘social sculpture’ to animate the photographic archive, giving people the opportunity to discover, explore and interact with the photographs; this installation will resemble an archaeological excavation. Following the initial interactive experience the audience will then be guided to strategic points, places, buildings that connect with the archive or stories to encounter short performances. This factual/ fictional tour will take in key landmarks including the beach, Dinas Olau, shops on the High Street, The Sandancer, The Sailor’s Institute, The harbour and the bridge across the estuary. In preparation for the public performances in the summer, in March 2010, and using the photographic archive as a catalyst, Marc would like to invite all Barmouth residents to help assemble an oral history of the town. A temporary ‘Story Shop’ will be set up in the foyer of the Dragon Theatre where stories can be gathered together from the whole community. These will then be given to local author John Sam Jones to shape then pass on to the group of artists to provide inspiration for the final creation in June.

If you would like to share your personal stories, anecdotes, memories and reflections about Barmouth please visit the ‘Story Shop’. It will be open from Monday 22nd until Saturday 27th March 2010 between 11.00am and 3.00pm in the foyer of the Dragon Theatre. Marc and his team would be delighted to meet you and hear your tales so please go along and help to reactivate the history of Barmouth in a unique and original way. National Theatre Wales was launched in November 2009 with the mission to create invigorating theatre across the whole of Wales. For Mountain, Sand & Sea will be the fourth of twelve productions created during this inaugural year for the new national company and National Theatre Wales are delighted to include Barmouth in their ‘Theatre Map of Wales’ (for more information about National Theatre Wales visit - http://nationaltheatrewales.org).

Eggstravaganza

The Barmouth Childcare Partnership and the Friends of Ysgol y Traeth have planned an Easter Egg Hunt that will take place on the field at the school on April 1st 12 noon. Lots of raffle prizes have been donated by local people and businesses in the area. for the event and the Tombola stall. The team of organisers have worked hard to make this a spectacular event with the aim of raising money for the two groups involved.

Fair Trade Fair return

The Fair Trade Coffee Morning, held at the showrooms of Walter Lloyd Jones raised £26-85 in donations plus £51 from the raffle. The Fair Trade Hamper that was donated by the Co-op was won by Lowri Evans.The Coffee and Walnut cake was won by Mrs Batty. The proceeds will be split between the The Fairtrade Foundation and Tradecraft Exchange.

R.N.L.I.

The RNLI Barmouth and District Fundraisers would like to thank everyone who took part in the recent sponsored walk in aid of the RNLI SOS appeal. A huge Thank You is sent to all who kindly provided sponsorship. The total raised was £461-30.

Correcting Educating Rita

Last weeks edition incorrectly showed the date for the performances being in April instead of March. The good news is that you do not have to wait so long to see this brilliant production; in fact it will be performed this weekend. The very accomplished Paradisi Theatre Company from Criccieth, who last year produced a brilliant version of “Barefoot in the park” are coming back to Barmouth’s Dragon Theatre on 19th and 20th March with their new production of Educating Rita. Although an amateur group the standard of their productions rival those of professional companies. You can order tickets from the box office by calling 01341 281697 any spare tickets will be sold on the door.

Jazz & Blues at the Dragon

Paul Cowley, blues guitarist & vocalist together with Rob Venables harmonica player, will be paying a return visit to the Arts Room on the Fourth Friday of March, the 26th. Paul, one of the founding members of the Sutton Blues collective, has recorded and played with numerous bands of renown, as well leading his own band. The same can be said of Rob Venables, who has just returned from a successful tour of France. Paul & Rob will be supported by Niall Stone, who has headlined at the Skye Folk Festival. The performance will start at 7.30pm, & times will fit in with local trains. Tickets £6.50 with discounts. For reservations, please contact the Dragon Theatre on 01341 281697.

Barmouth U3A

The guest speaker at the group meeting, held on Wednesday 10th march, was the Rev’d Peter Crooks, the intriguing title of his talk being, “ Pirates, Refugees and Incense” Together with his wife Nancy he lived and worked in Yemen for four years. He gave a fascinating insight into the life of the people, the hardships and the deprivations with which they lived. His work involved trying to better the lives of those around hi, especially helping with medical problems. However, his own health concerns forced him to return to the UK, but not until he had found a worthy replacement. The next group meeting will be on Wednesday 14th April at 1-30pm when there will be an opportunity to view a Bollywood film kindly lent by Raj. This will commence at 1-30pm in the Arts room.

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