“One of the most encouraging things was seeing Pwllheli full of life. The town was buzzing with people throughout the day, with the festival attracting visitors from across the area and beyond. It was clear that the event not only supported the stallholders, but also brought wider benefits to local businesses and showcased Pwllheli at its very best.”
-Jane Watkinson, Llyn Food Festival Chairperson.
This year saw a truly special celebration in Pen Llŷn as the very first Food Festival opened its doors, welcoming thousands of visitors to enjoy a day filled with flavour, fun and community spirit. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the talent, creativity and local produce of the area, and it was a privilege for GwyrddNi to be part of such a memorable occasion.
With the sun shining, the delicious aroma of food filling the air and the festival site full of life, laughter and happy conversations, there was a truly special atmosphere throughout the day. Visitors were welcomed to the GwyrddNi stall, creating the perfect opportunity to share more about our work, discuss community ideas and build new connections with people who share the same passion for a sustainable and thriving future for Pen Llŷn.
The GwyrddNi stall became a warm and welcoming hub at the heart of the festival, with delicious coffee and cakes attracting people over for a chat and a chance to relax. Dafydd, Pen Llŷn Facilitator, was on hand to share more about GwyrddNi’s work, while also welcoming Martyn Croydon from Hwb Cymraeg Dwyfor to co-host a special Paned i’r Blaned session. It was also wonderful to have Seimon with us, showcasing his digital map of local Llŷn produce – a fantastic resource highlighting the many wonderful things the area has to offer.
With colourful banners, eye-catching decorations and a variety of engaging activities available, there was something for everyone to enjoy. The stall became a perfect place to stop, have a conversation, discover something new and share ideas about how we can continue to support and strengthen our local community.
‘Paned i’r Blaned’ – Conversations Over Coffee and Cake
One of the highlights of the day was the hugely successful Paned i’r Blaned session. With everyone enjoying a warm drink and a fresh slice of cake, it provided the perfect opportunity to discuss topics that connected beautifully with the festival’s theme – food, local produce and the Welsh language.
The conversations were full of energy and enthusiasm, with people sharing their favourite local dishes, much-loved treats and their experiences of the wide variety of food available throughout the festival. Alongside the enjoyable discussions, attendees also learnt new and useful Welsh words such as “byrbryd” (snack) and “bwydlen” (menu), adding a fun and educational element to the session.
It was especially wonderful to see a number of Welsh learners taking part, giving them the opportunity to practise their skills, build confidence and enjoy chatting with others in a relaxed and supportive environment. Paned i’r Blaned creates a warm and welcoming space where people can come together to discuss important topics, share experiences and use the Welsh language naturally in everyday conversations.
It was also wonderful to see some previous attendees of the sessions finding the GwyrddNi stall on the festival site and joining in once again – a lovely reflection of the connections being built and the community that continues to grow around these sessions.
A huge thank you to everyone who came to see us, shared a conversation and helped make the day such a special occasion. Llŷn Food Festival was a wonderful celebration of everything that makes the area so unique – its people, food, culture and community.
Small Promises Creating Big Changes:
Alongside all the conversations and activities taking place at the stall, we also hosted a special ‘Promise to Pen Llŷn’ activity, giving visitors the opportunity to think creatively about how we can all contribute towards a more sustainable, cleaner and eco-friendly future for the area.
It was a fun and inclusive activity for everyone – from children and families to Welsh learners and local residents – inviting people to make one small but meaningful promise for Pen Llŷn. It was wonderful to see so many people sharing their ideas, hopes and commitment to caring for this very special place.
A wide range of inspiring promises were made, showing the strong desire within the community to protect Pen Llŷn’s natural beauty and help create a greener future for all. Each promise reflected the care and love people have for the area they call home – or the place they have come to visit and enjoy.
It was especially lovely to see visitors who were on holiday taking part too. Although they may not live locally, they had been captivated by Pen Llŷn’s beauty, its unique landscapes, and the warm welcome and strong sense of community that can be felt throughout the area. Their willingness to make a promise showed that the love and appreciation for Pen Llŷn reaches far beyond its boundaries.
New Connections, Shared Visions and a Growing Community:
It was a truly special feeling and a privilege to meet and engage with so many new people throughout the day. Seeing individuals from all walks of life visit our stall, share their ideas and show the same passion and vision for the future of Pen Llŷn was incredibly inspiring.
Conversations with new people always bring fresh perspectives and valuable ideas. Listening to different experiences, opinions and suggestions reminded us of the strength of community and the fact that everyone brings something unique to the table. These connections help us continue to develop GwyrddNi in a way that reflects the needs, hopes and ideas of the community.
By listening, collaborating and creating opportunities for everyone to contribute, we can ensure that our work continues to be meaningful, relevant and inclusive for everyone in Pen Llŷn.
We look forward to welcoming all the new faces we connected with during the festival to our future events and continuing to grow the GwyrddNi community together.
Take a look at some of the inspiring promises shared by members of the Pen Llŷn community!
• I’m going to buy more locally and avoid the supermarket.
• I promise to save water by not letting the tap run, only boiling enough water for tea and saving rain water.
• Grow more trees, and eat locally!
• I promise to pick up litter when going for walks.
• I promise to support green transport.
• I promise to recycle correctly and use less plastic.
“It was wonderful to see people of all ages taking part and enjoying the day together. From young families to older residents, there was something for everyone, and the beautiful sunshine added to the special atmosphere. Seeing the whole community come together to enjoy local food, entertainment and great company truly captured what Llŷn Food Festival is all about.
I would like to extend a special thank you to the volunteers, performers, sponsors, partners, stallholders and everyone who attended the event. Without their support and commitment, the festival would not have been possible. We are already looking forward to building on this year’s success and welcoming everyone back next year.”
-Jane Watkinson, Llyn Food Festival Chairperson.