Bard, singer and broadcaster from Llanystumdwy, Eifionydd. Children’s Poet Laureate for Wales (Bardd Plant Cymru) 2009 – 10. Columnist in Taliesin and Barddas. Singer with the group ‘Bob Delyn a’r Ebillion’. He also does considerable work as a bard in schools.

A bard’s eye view of Wales An opportunity to travel with the Chaired Bard Twm Morys through Welsh history from the sixth century to the present day through the medium of Welsh poetry.

Fee: £100 plus travelling costs

Naturalist, lecturer and course organizer at Plas Tan y Bwlch (Snowdonia National Park Study Centre), Maentwrog. He has a wide range of interests – mainly involving wildlife, folklore, agricultural history and the historical development of Wales’ habitats and landscape. He is a prolific author who has published a mass of articles and a number of books on folklore and rural history and a regular contributor on environmental matters to the early morning Saturday programme on Radio Cymru ‘Galwad Cynnar’.

The Welsh Drovers The history and adventures of the characters that walked cattle and sheep from Wales to distant places in England before the age of the railway.

The Welsh Smugglers The popular campaign to smuggle brandy and salt in the days of sailing ships, and less pleasant goods in modern days Plants – their use and folklore

Welsh place names – their history and meanings (lecture in English only)

Fee: £50 plus travelling costs

Ty'n Pant, Lon Pant y Gog, Nebo, Caernarfon, LL54 6EA

A folk singer who has a store of folk tunes committed to memory, and in singing ‘cerdd dant’ the words and spirit are more important to him than keeping to the letter of the rules! He has an ideal voice for folk singing, and although his songs are rooted in the folklore of Wales they also have an experimental newness, with songs and ‘cerdd dant’ adapted by Arfon himself. His singing conveys an intense love for and appreciation of our heritage and language, whilst also looking to the future and creating the New Wales.

The ‘Plygain’ explained in talk and song -  Traditional Welsh carol singing has continued unbroken for generations in the Montgomeryshire area (and some other places). A new interest in this tradition has been seen in recent years, but in order to reanimate the Plygain one needs to be familiar with its method and know the carols.

Welsh Folk Tradition explained in talk and song -  Is “hen Gymru lawen” or “Wales the land of fun” a myth? One of the most interesting times is the 19th century, when massive conflict was seen between the old sense of fun and the seriousness of the new age, under the influence of the religious revivals and Victorian respectability.

Fee: Fee and travelling costs to be discussed.

Glangwyrfai, Saron, Caernarfon, LL54 5UL

Librarian, author, local historian, fell runner and broadcaster during the Snowdon Race.

Peking, Paris and Betws Garmon- What on earth links these three places? The story of the beginning and end of mining in Snowdonia.

Murder- Three murders in the Llanberis and Llanddeiniolen area and local residents’ attitudes towards them.

Tales of Fairies and Giants- Tales of fairies and giants, with associations with Arthur, standing stones and underground tunnels in the Llanberis area.

The Two Millers -  The story of two old millers from Felin Hen in Llandegai parish bringing a case against the owner of Pentir Mill for theft of water.

Fee: to be discussed

Bron y Nant, Llanrug, LL55 4BA

Botanist, broadcaster, translator, author, lecturer, weekly columnist in the Welsh section of the Daily Post and Education Officer for the Friends of Anglesey Red Squirrels.

 Medicinal Plants

Quite often the only information available about medicinal plants is verbal knowledge transferred from one generation to the next.

Anne Griffith, Bryn Canaid, was a relative of the surgeon Emyr Wyn Jones and she could not read nor write but she knew that the foxglove (Digitalis) was used for “weakness of the heart”. This was before William Withering published the paper ‘An account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses’ in 1785. In her talk Bethan gives accounts of different plants, showing examples (if they are in season) and encouraging discussion to follow her talk.

Fee: Fee and travelling costs to be discussed

Cae Chwarel, Talwrn, Llangefni, Ynys Môn, LL77 7TF

Dewi Tomos was brought up in Carmel and has now lived in in Rhostryfan for 35 years. He was a schoolteacher in Liverpool, Perth, Western Australia and Penygroes. He is a former footballer and runner, and continues to enjoy mountain walking and cycling. He is chairman of Cyfeillion Cae’r Gors and an enthusiastic worker for the heritage centre.

Aspects of Quarrymen’s Lives

Aspects of the history of the unique community that developed following the growth of the quarrying industry in the Moeltryfan area, referring also to Kate Roberts’ contribution to our literature and explaining how the heritage centre, Canolfan Dreftadaeth Kate Roberts, at Cae'r Gors offers an interpretation of the lives of quarry workers and smallholders.

‘Indeed come to think of it, life was a very strange thing’ Ffair Gaeaf '

We never possessed wealth, but we had a wealth that no one could ever take away from us, a wealth of language and culture.' Kate Roberts.

Fee - £40 plus travel costs

Gwelfor, Rhostrfan, LL54 7PE

Luned Rhys Parri is an artist, known mainly for her 3D carvings. She has gained awards for her work and has exhibited throughout Wales, including at Oriel Môn and Oriel Tegfryn in Beaumaris. She works in the community as well as in her studio in Groeslon.

Talks by Luned Rhys Parri In her talks she mainly refers to the characters from Wales portrayed by her and their background.

Fee: £50 plus travelling costs

2 Fron Deg, Y Groeslon, Caernarfon, LL54 7TU

Dr John Elwyn Hughes is an author, linguist and local historian from the Ogwen Valley. He was born in Bethesda and educated at Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen and University College of Wales, Bangor, where he graduated in Celtic Studies and gained an MA degree. He was Head of the Welsh Department of his former school, then Deputy Head and Headmaster of the school. By now he is a Language Consultant.

Caradog Prichard’s Home Area in Pictures

Caradog Prichard’s World and Life The story of the author of the novel Un Nos Ola Leuad [1961] which has Bethesda as its hinterland.

The Real World of Un Nos Ola Leuad The real places and people behind the locations and characters in the novel.

A Pictorial Glimpse of the Ogwen Valley, introducing Caradog Prichard

A Nation Apart – A Brief History of Wales and the Welsh Language

Fee: Fee and costs to be dicussed

Bryn Ogwen, Bethel, Caernarfon, LL55 3AA

Author and bard. Born in Rhos-y-Bol, Ynys Môn and educated at Rhos-y-bol Young Farmers’ Club, Ysgol Uwchradd Amlwch and University of Wales Aberystwyth. He is Chairman of the Welsh Section of the Members Committee of the Academi. He is a Librarian at the National Library of Wales.

 Jambo Caribw! – a journey to the Gates of Hell A talk on his walking tour in Kenya.

Diolch i Nhrwyn A talk on his trip to India.

The Joneses A talk on people and places in the four corners of the world who recognize (and refuse to recognize) the name Jones.

The Crazy Community of Drws y Nant in the 18th century A lecture based on the poetry that has survived to this unique Community, which met at the Drws y Nant Pub, between Rhyd-y-main and Bala.

Diaries A talk on the obsession with the practice, paper and ink required to keep a diary.

The National Library A talk on his work with the National Library.

Cerddi Fan Hyn A talk on the poetry series 'Cerddi Fan Hyn' using examples from different areas.

Fee: Fee and costs to be discussed

Dictionary maker, literary adjudicator, literary translator. Born in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Educated at Jesus College Oxford and Bangor University. Retired French lecturer.

Gwerineiriau Words and sayings from everyday speech, their origin and history. (In Welsh only)

Maria Stella Wife of Lord Newborough of Plas Glynllifon. Maria Stella claimed to be the rightful queen of France.

Modern Day Folk Literature A talk on tall stories, superstitions and ghost stories.

Llywelyn Fawr and Siwan

Y Dieithryn Wrth y Drws Key themes in the dramas of Saunders Lewis. (In Welsh only and suited to groups familiar with some of the dramas)

Fee: Fee and costs to be discussed

Retired lecturer and occasional broadcaster on Radio Cymru. Grandfather to ten grandchildren.

In Welsh Homes A peek into different people’s homes, from Llywelyn the Last to Sali Mali and seeing how Welsh people live.

My Grandmother’s Bookshelf Looking at the bridge between Welsh History and Literature. Tracing the development of Literature by looking at Grandmother’s bookshelf over a period of a hundred and fifty years.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid This unique story in America and the Welsh Colony in Patagonia.

Fee: Fee and costs to be discussed.

Award-winning Storyteller and Author. Catherine has travelled throughout Wales and abroad reciting stories. She won the Arts Fundation Fellowship Award in 2009 for Storytelling. She is also the author of five books for children.

Cath Chattering A talk on how a woman can make a living by chattering.

Myths, Laughter and Play The importance of the story as children grow and develop, and ideas on how to attract children into the world of stories.

Mapping, Thinking and Expressing How a storyteller prepares a story for recounting in public.

Fee: £100 plus travel costs

12 Caeberllan, Braichmelyn, Bethesda, Gwynedd. LL57 3PS

There are a number of schemes available to assist you in organizing an evening with a guest speaker.

Writers on Tour Scheme This scheme contributes 50% of the fee of any author who comes to you to hold an evening. www.literaturewales.org

Night Out Scheme This scheme helps you by taking responsibility for the financial risk. www.nosonallan.org.uk

Community Arts Fund This fund can contribute to holding arts evenings. www.gwynedd.gov.uk/celf