Category: Dyffryn Peris projects

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Ysgolion Creadigol (Creative Schools)

The Ysgolion Creadigol (Creative Schools) GwyrddNi project is supporting young people to communicate creatively about climate change.

The idea: To connect schools with local artists and creative practitioners to create a project that conveys pupils’ messages about climate change. The pupils interview and choose the creative practitioner themselves, and the output depends on the ideas they come up with together.

This means that anything can happen! So far, we’ve had songs, performances, books, poems, articles, artwork, a parade, and more.

The story so far…

Dyffryn Ogwen

At Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen, year 7 and 8 pupils decided they wanted to make a big “splash” by taking their message to the Bethesda Carnival – performing short plays and creating an impressive float to display as part of parade. The pupils got busy decorating their lanterns and banners with Manon Prysor.

We got to see a giant fish pull of plastic, as well as Spongebob and Patrick complaining about the state of their home! The young people also wrote and performed short plays under the guidance of the actress Angharad Llwyd.

Dyffryn Nantlle

The pupils of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle chose to work with musician and writer Gai Toms, and they’ve created a book and three original songs as a result.

You might be familair with Manon Steffan Ros’s award-winning novel, Llyfr Glas Nebo (the Blue Book of Nebo). As an antidote to the book’s dystopian message, the pupils decided they wanted to create Llyfr Gwyrdd Nantlle (the Green Book of Nantlle): a collection of art, poetry and positive visions for the future of the Dyffryn (valley).

The pupils also wrote and recorded three original songs: Cwm y Cerrig, Y Llithr a’r Llethr and Pigavo.

Read the full story, listen to the songs and see the digital version of Llyfr Gwyrdd Nantlle here.

Dyffryn Peris

At Ysgol Dolbadarn, the children chose to work with local artist Katie Ellidge. From creating scrapbooks and weaving artwork out of rubbish, the children also had the opportunity to learn about important topics such as waste, rare species and sustainable travel.

Another local artist, Femke van Gent, then came in to create a piece of visual art capturing the children’s visions of a bright future for the Dyffryn.

As you can see from the pictures – the children dream of a green, clean world, where people travel on bikes and pick up their rubbish!

Bro Ffestiniog

At Ysgol y Moelwyn, a group of pupils from years 7 and 8 chose to work with Buddug Roberts. After spending some time getting to know each other and their local area, the pupils started to think about what messages they would like to share.

The pupils have created ‘Lotobot’ : a creature that will to keep and share their climate messages with the community during Gŵyl y Glaw in Blaenau Ffestiniog this September.

What next?

The Ysgolion Creadigol GwyrddNi project will continue… come back later to see what our young people have imagined into being!

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Paned i’r Blaned

A space to talk about climate change and to practice Welsh!

The idea of Paned i’r Blaned (a cuppa for the planet) is inspired by things like Climate Cafes; People, Planet, Pint; and Paned a Sgwrs– opportunities for people to discuss climate issues in an informal, community-led setting. With more and more people concerned about climate change, sessions like this are becoming increasingly popular across the world.

The intention of Paned i’r Blaned is to give people a space to come together to discuss environmental issues through the medium of Welsh. Everyone will have the opportunity to propose topics for discussion, which will change every session: from nature and biodiversity to growing food, from energy to transport.

Learners who can speak some conversational Welsh are welcome (or beginners can come and listen!), and we encourage fluent Welsh speakers to come along and give them support!

Vocabulary based on the topic of the month will be on hand to help you, and of course you can ask for an explanation or translation. Menter Iaith have been supporting us to make sure that the sessions flow smoothly and are accessible.

The first Paned i’r Blaned session was held on the 25th of January at Canolfan Cefnfaes, Bethesda, and the other areas have since arranged their first session. Check our Events page to find the latest sessions.

Look out for Paned i’r Blaned in your area – or get in touch if you want to start one!

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Clearing Himalayan Balsam

Himalayan Balsalm is a widespread invasive species in Britain. It is very damaging, causing riverbank erosion, and forming dense stands that increase the likelihood of flooding and reduce or prevent native plants, as well as negatively impacting other biodiversity (more information from the Wildlife Trusts).

It competes with native plants, drawing pollinators away from them. Himalayan Balsam produces and disperses seeds very vigorously, which makes it very invasive.

One of the ideas from the Dyffryn Peris Climate Action Plan was “Start mapping the invasive species (e.g. Himalayan Balsam) and who is doing what about them already”.

This was part of the wider Dŵr a Thir (Water and Land) working group, who have the following aims:

  • Increase knowledge of what is here already, identifying and mapping habitats, biodiversity and invasive species to guide our approach.
  • Take a place by place approach, avoiding ‘blanket solutions’ and working with landowners to create a patchwork of responses suited to place.
  • Support the flourishing of habitats, species of plants, trees + animals in the right places for biodiversity, flood management and food production.

The solution?

Himalayan Balsam is being mapped with the “INSS Mapper” app, community leaders are being trained and we are organising regular ‘pulling’ days over the spring and summer each year.

We have been working with landowners, the community and schools in Dyffryn Peris to work towards these goals. Voluntary efforts are focusing on high ground near Afon Hwch and Afon Caledffrwd to start with, and working down from those places.

In April 2024, Himalayan Balsam Clearing training was organised with Cymdeithas Eryri (Snowdonia Society) for 9 people to learn how to lead clearing groups safely and effectively.

Here is a video from June 2024 with the children of Ysgol Dolbadarn, Llanberis who filled 4 tonne sacks of Balsam!

Want to be a part of this? Contact Lowri on peris@gwyrddni.cymru

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Repair Cafés

A repair café is a free community event where people can fix broken items with the help of volunteers. Repair cafés are part of a grassroots movement to reduce waste and encourage people to repair items instead of buying new ones.

Dyffryn Peris:

TECSTILIAU host a Repair Café on the second Sunday of every month in Y Bedol, Bethel from 1-3pm – details on their Facebook page. GwyrddNi originally supported the group to set it up, and we support the café from time to time. Repair cafés have also been held in Llanrug, with the hope of doing more in the future.

A video of Bethel Repair Café on Prynhawn Da, S4C: https://www.facebook.com/PrynhawnDaS4C/videos/1404428036813961

Bro Ffestiniog:

In Bro Ffestiniog, the Sharing and Fixing Stuff group (Rhannu Stwff a Thrwsio) emerged from the Community Assemblies – you can join the WhatsApp group here! One intention is to collaborate with the maker space on the high street of Blaenau Ffestiniog where FFIWS and the Library of Things aim to host repair cafés.

At the moment, FFIWS volunteers are happy to try and fix your items and you can volunteer with them: https://www.drefwerdd.cymru/en/repair-cafe-ffiws

Dyffryn Nantlle

A Repair Café is held in Yr Orsaf, Penygroes once a month, usually on a Saturday. Follow Yr Orsaf on Facebook, follow their newsletter or contact cylchol.yrosaf@gmail.com for details.

See EVERY Repair Café in Wales on the calendar at: Repair Café Wales.

What do people fix at repair cafés?

Electronics, mechanical devices, computers, bicycles, clothing, and sentimental items.

What are the benefits of repair cafés?

Saving money: You can repair your items instead of buying new ones

Reducing waste: You can avoid throwing away broken items, which may go to landfill

Reducing carbon emissions: You save resources and save energy by not having new things made for you

Strengthening social cohesion: Come together with the community to learn new skills and share knowledge

How do repair cafés work?

You bring along your items to the space where the café is happening. Volunteers repair your items – if possible! Sometimes, it will be necessary to go elsewhere, and they will advise you on where.

You can learn how to fix your items so you can do it yourself at home. There’s a cup of tea and cake available while you wait, and there’s a donation box if you’d like to contribute towards the running costs of the repair café after you’ve got your item back.

The idea of ​​”repair cafés” started in the Netherlands in 2009, although the idea of ​​fixing things of course goes back much, much further!

It is part of the wider idea of ​​creating a circular economy, where things are repaired and recycled (or up-cycled) instead of being thrown away. Also, instead of each person needing to have a sewing machine or a set of repair tools, the idea is that communities share items to reduce overproduction (and the need for storage space).

More:

The Global Repair Cafe movement

Repair Cafe Wales

What is the Circular Economy? (3 minute video)

About the Right to Repair Movement

Want to volunteer at a repair cafe or start one in your area? The best thing to do is contact https://repaircafewales.org/ – but you’re also welcome to get in touch with us about support in setting it up!

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Partneriaeth Dyffryn Peris Partnership

One of the 8 overarching objectives of the Dyffryn Peris GwyrddNi Community Climate Action Plan coproduced by local residents in 2023 was:

“Looking to establish a Community Partnership to coordinate community action, find funding, listen to the community, plan and promote and stimulate action, work with businesses, co-produce positive change and tackle climate change in Dyffryn Peris.”

Since then, a number of options have been explored, a steering group established, a Business Plan developed, a Job Description for a Development Manager written and funding arrangements for that job through the sponsorship of community councils and the company Ynni Padarn Peris are being refined.

£10,000 has been secured to carry out a Local Housing Needs Assessment and to assess models, properties and possible funding for Community-led Housing. Meetings will be called in the new year to hear the opinions and ideas of residents regarding this in order to address the housing crisis in a proactive and positive manner.

Read the latest news from Lowri on our blog: https://www.gwyrddni.cymru/en/partneriaeth-dyffryn-peris/

Contact: peris@gwyrddni.cymru

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Education Offer

During the first two years of the GwyrddNi movement, hundreds of children and young people from GwyrddNi’s areas contributed their ideas to Community Climate Action Plans in each area. The children’s aspirations and ideas had a considerable influence on the action plans, with several areas of action developing directly from their input.

Not only was it good for the children to be part of the process, their participation was key. Thanks to them for their enthusiastic contributions!

Read more here or watch the video:

Now, children have the opportunity to act on their ideas!

We have been offering smooth-flowing, interactive education sessions for primary school children in order to raise awareness of climate change and what causes it. At the end of each session the children contribute to developing action ideas in their communities – and then have the chance to act on these ideas themselves, including visits and further learning experiences. Here’s the offer:

  • An interactive Climate Session (in two parts) which creates opportunities to understand climate change and the impact it has, discuss feelings about climate change, understand what we can do about it, and start planning actions to address the climate challenge.
  • Visits to local climate solutions (and beyond!).
  • Opportunities for the children to develop their community ideas and implement them. This can be a ‘one-off’ action or a more long-term and comprehensive project. This (within reason!) is up to the children and we will be there to support them.

The aim is to enable the children to work together with others in their community to take action and to understand how their actions contribute to responding to climate change. The hope is that making connections with others in their community and setting out to do something to tackle the climate challenge will also help to alleviate climate anxiety.

The early signs are promising: the number of children who said they would be very confident explaining to someone else what climate change is jumped from 17% before our sessions to 84% after our sessions.

The children’s enthusiasm has been evident during our sessions, especially as they set out to gather ideas and decide how they would like to respond to the implementation areas of their area’s climate action plan.

Here’s a taste of what’s been happening and what’s coming up:

Dyffryn Ogwen

  • Visits to the Ynni Ogwen community hydro scheme.
  • Collaborating with partners and volunteers to develop school gardens.
  • Investigating travel patterns to school and identifying and responding to travel challenges there in a more ‘active’ manner. 

Dyffryn Peris

  • Taking part in the Stori’r Tir project – a project for the residents of the valley to rediscover and re-own the history of their land.
  • Growing food with Tyddyn Teg Farm and planting orchards with the Llanddeiniolen Nature Project.
  • Tackling the Himalayan Balsalm in Llanberis with Cymdeithas Eryri.

Bro Ffestiniog

  • Collecting and redistributing the school uniforms of all the schools in the area.
  • Developing a biodiversity corridors scheme on the school grounds extending out into the town and valley below.

Pen Llŷn

  • Visiting the Seagrass project – and making T-shirts advertising the importance of restoring Seaweed.
  • Early collaboration on the bike share scheme.

Dyffryn Nantlle

While things have started to gain momentum with primary schools, we have been busy developing a suitable session for secondary school pupils. We have trialled this at Ysgol y Moelwyn, Blaenau Ffestiniog, where the school’s enthusiastic young people have been actively developing ideas, and are ready to act!

We will also collaborate with schools to develop local climate resources for the classroom.

We are currently developing education offers for adults, in order to raise awareness and to empower groups by increasing skills and having other learning experiences, in order to empower us to act in our communities. More information on the way soon!

The journey is an exciting one and we are off to a solid start! For more information, please contact Sara, our Education Officer: sara@deg.cymru

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Stori’r Tir Dyffryn Peris

Stori’r Tir is a creative project that gathers and shares stories of our relationship with the land in Dyffryn Peris. It came from an idea from the area’s Schools Assembly and was fed into the Action Plan after it raised such positive feelings among the Community Assembly.

The aim of Stori’r Tir is to bring the community together to capture the wisdom of previous generations, promote identity and connection with the land, creativity and the Welsh language.

Stori ir Tir has been created by Lindsey Colbourne, Emily Meilleur, Lowri Vaughan (Green Facilitator Dyffryn Peris) and Angharad Owen.

In 2024, following an open call, there were 15 small project applications, each receiving micro funding from GwyrddNi. The projects ranged from discovering the old field names of the area to guided walks teaching children and adults about the mythology of the landscape.

A lively network of creatives and historians has developed in its wake. In the second year of the project, the creative investigations will deepen and a program of events will follow over the spring and summer of 2025.

Stori’r Tir website: https://www.utopiasbach.org/storir-tir-dyffryn-peris

Contact: storirtir@gmail.com